Principal of Dawood College shot dead in Karachi
Pakistan Times National News Desk

KARACHI: The Principal, Dawood College of Engineering and Technology (DCET), was gunned down by armed motorcyclists near the college, while he was travelling in a car on Friday afternoon, according to Jamshed Quarters Police.

Prof. Mohammed Saleem Chaudhry came out from DCET at around 3:30 pm. He was on his way to his home in Gulshan-i-Iqbal in a car driven by a driver.

When the car reached near Jail Chowrangi, three gunmen riding on motorcycle opened indiscriminate fire on him. The driver rushed him to the Liaquat National Hospital, where the doctors pronounced him dead.

Later, the body was brought to Civil Hospital. Doctors said that Prof Saleem sustained four bullets, three on chest.

The CCPO, Tariq Jamil said that the incident was not result of terrorism or targeted-killing. Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui told newsmen that the murder was result of ‘some inside matters.’

Prof. Saleem had done MSc in Chemistry and was associated with the DCET since 1974. He was appointed principal, a few years ago.

The SHO Jamshed Quarters, Rustam Khattak, said that the Principal had disputes with non-academic staff, and student wings. He said that he had terminated services of six employees on 13 March, 2005.

Earlier, he had also fired Noor Mohammed Baloch from the job. The SHO said that Noor Mohammed Baloch had threatened to commit suicide before the DCET. Rustam Khattak said that Prof. Saleem had never complained about threats to his life.

The employees held a demonstration against the principal, two days ago before Karachi Press Club. Police have taken some persons into custody for interrogation purpose.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui told newsmen that the Sindh government had announced Rs5 lakh award for arrest of the killers of DCET Principal. He claimed that significant clue about the possible motive and identity of the killers has been found.●