Relatives said Jalib, a lawyer and former Senator, was going to drop his children at school when gunmen waiting for him outside sprayed bullets and fled on a motorbike. "He expired on his way to hospital. The motorcycle riders managed to flee after the firing," Shah Nawaz, a senior police officer in the hospital, told. The shooting took place in the Sariab neighbourhood.
Police said the identities of the killers were not immediately clear, but that a manhunt had been launched. Shops and markets shut down after Jalib's killing. Authorities also closed Balochistan University for two days in a bid to minimise violent protests.
Meanwhile, Balochistan National Party (Mengal) secretary information Agha Hussain Baloch has announced 40-day mourning and three-day wheel jam and shutter down across Balochistan against the target killing of Central General Secretary Habib Jalib Baloch Advocate by unidentified armed men riding motorbike on Wednesday.
Talking to media, he said that Habib Jalib Baloch Advocate has devoted his life for the people of Balochistan. Four teams have been constituted to probe into the murder of former Senator and Secretary General of Balochistan National Party (Mengal) Habib Jalib who was gunned down by unidentified armed men here on Wednesday.
This was stated by the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Ghulam Shabir Sheikh while talking to the newsmen outside the CM secretariat here. Four teams, each led by the SP have been assigned the task to thoroughly investigate into the killing of slain Baloch leader, he said, adding the eye witnesses and area people could help police to get the clue of the perpetrators behind this heinous crime.
CCPO maintained that preliminary reports have suggested that late Jalib had received life threat as unknown caller thorough a satellite phone warned him of life bid for what he had been informed by the police as well. When asked about the inability of police for not providing security to the late BNP leader despite the life threats given to him, CCPO contended that Jalib did not asked for the security otherwise he would have been provided so.
Police have the standing orders to provide security to those seeking protection as on the request of many politicians personnel of the force are deployed for their security. He added that police is making all out efforts to combat with the menace of target killing and other crimes.
President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the assassination of senior Baloch nationalist leader and former parliamentarian Habib Jalib Baloch in Quetta and ordered an inquiry. The President termed it a heinous and despicable act and asked the provincial government to investigate and track down the perpetrators. He said justice would be done and those responsible be punished. He directed that a report be submitted to him at the earliest.
President Zardari paid rich tributes to the late Habib Jalib and described him as a great politician who strove hard for democracy. He pointed that the Senator played an effective role in highlighting the problems of his area as an elected member of the Senate in 1997 and serving as a member of several parliamentary standing committees.
The President also appreciated his role in raising his voice for the rights of the people of Balochistan. In a message to his family the President prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the departed soul and for courage to his family to bear the irreparable loss.