Karachi reports target killings and rising building demolition concerns

In Karachi, two separate target killings have been reported. An activist from the Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat group, identified as 35-year-old Salman, was shot by motorcycle-borne assailants outside his home in the New Karachi Industrial Area. He later died at Aga Khan Hospital. In a separate incident in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Block 10, a 64-year-old man named Aurangzeb, described as a state agent, was killed by gunmen who shot him in the head as he arrived at his residence.

Separately, the Sindh Building Control Authority has identified 741 dangerous and dilapidated buildings across Sindh. Of these, 588 are located in Karachi, including 444 buildings classified as historical heritage sites. Authorities have approved the evacuation of 59 buildings and the demolition of 39 others. Residents of these structures have expressed significant distress regarding sudden eviction notices and the lack of alternative housing options.