KARACHI, March 18: Ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) leader and former provincial minister Badar Iqbal was shot dead by unidentified attackers on the busy M.A. Jinnah Road here on Saturday. His driver and a passer-by were also killed in the attack.

Mr Iqbal was travelling in his chauffeur-driven car. As the car stopped near Subhanallah bakery and he alighted two armed men riding a motorcycle opened fire at Mr Iqbal and his driver Sarfaraz. Both died on the spot.

Four passers-by, identified as Fahim, Shuja, Amin and Danish, suffered bullet wounds. They were taken to the Civil Hospital where Danish died.

Witnesses said a police constable, Ghulam Shabbir, who was on duty near the bakery, fired at the fleeing attackers. The constable was sure one of the attackers had been hit. An unidentified citizen took the constable after the attackers on his motorcycle but they could not find them.

The Saddar TPO termed it an act of target killing.

Mr Iqbal was one of the founding members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. Later, he parted ways with the party and be-came vice-chairman of Mohajir Qaumi Movement in 1992. A few years ago, he joined the PML.