Attack on Pakistan politician condemned

Leading Pakistani politician Munir Khan Orakzain, who is a long-time Doha resident and has business interests in Qatar, had a narrow escape when a bomb hit the venue of his election rally in Pakistan’s Kurram agency yesterday.

At least 14 people were killed and dozens injured in the attack.

Orakzai was the parliamentary leader of members of National Assembly from Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

He joined the rightwing Jamiat Ulemae Islam (Maulana Fazlur Rehman group) last February. He is contesting the upcoming elections from NA-38 tribal area-III, Kurram Agency.

Orakzai is very popular among the Pakistani community in Qatar, especially among those of Pashtun descent.

His brother Dr Fazl takes care of the business in Qatar, while his other brother Afzal works for UBL bank. His brothers are also in Pakistan to support him in his election campaign.

Doha-based Pakistan Business Forum president Pervaiz Iqbal condemned the attack on Orakzai.

“Irrespective of his political ideology, I strongly condemn the attack,” he said.

Another Qatar-based Pakistani businessman Israr Malazi also condemned the attack.

“We are happy that he is safe,” he said.