Shamshad Akhtar, a director general of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), was shot dead in his ancestral village in Tank district on Saturday, Dawn reported. Police have not said who attacked him or why. The ECP called the killing a targeted attack and expressed deep sorrow.
What happened in Tank
Akhtar, who worked at the ECP in Islamabad, had travelled to Garah Baloch village after his brother died. He was receiving condolences at his residence. When he stepped outside, unidentified armed men shot him, and he died on the spot, according to Dawn.
Tank is a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Police there cordoned off the scene and launched a search to trace the attackers. Tank’s district police officer said the motive and the identity of the assailants were not yet known.
ECP reaction
In a press release, the ECP expressed profound grief and sorrow. It described Akhtar as an honest, humble and dutiful officer. The commission said he had no personal enmity with anyone. It also called the incident a case of targeted killing.
The chief election commissioner, commission members, the ECP secretary and staff all offered condolences to the family. The ECP said colleagues respected Akhtar for his professional conduct and integrity.
What is still unknown
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Dawn published its report on Sunday morning and updated it later with the commission statement. The killing happened on Saturday, October 10, in Akhtar’s home village.
Several questions remain open. Police have not named any suspects. They have not given a motive. In addition, officials have not said whether the killing relates to Akhtar’s work at the commission. Wire Examiner will not speculate until investigators release more information.
The reports reviewed by Wire Examiner do not mention any earlier threats against Akhtar. Police also have not said whether anyone has been detained. As a result, readers should treat any claims about the attackers or the motive as unconfirmed for now.
The ECP runs national and provincial elections and maintains the voter lists. A director general is one of its senior officers. Officials are expected to share more details as the investigation moves forward. Meanwhile, we will update this report when police or the commission release new information.
Sources: Dawn, Election Commission of Pakistan press release.
