The assassination of MQM parliamentarian Raza Haider triggered citywide riots in Karachi, killing at least 90 and causing an estimated $200 million in economic losses.
Key Facts
- Riots began
- August 3, 2010
- Deaths by August 6
- At least 90 people
- Injured
- More than 100 people
- Economic losses
- ~17 billion PKR (~200 million USD)
- Victim's party
- Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)
- Blamed party
- Awami National Party (ANP)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On the night of August 2, 2010, Raza Haider, a member of Pakistan's parliament representing the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, was assassinated while attending a funeral at a mosque in Karachi. The MQM publicly blamed its political rival, the Awami National Party, for orchestrating the killing, inflaming tensions between the two groups.
Beginning August 3, 2010, widespread riots and reprisal violence erupted across Karachi following Haider's assassination. The unrest engulfed much of the city over several days, with armed clashes and attacks spreading through multiple neighborhoods as political and ethnic tensions between rival factions boiled over.
By August 6, at least 90 people had been killed and more than 100 injured in the violence. Economic damage from two days of rioting was estimated at approximately 17 billion Pakistani rupees, equivalent to around 200 million USD, underscoring the severe human and material cost of political violence in Pakistan's largest city.
Political Outcome
Citywide riots resulted in at least 90 deaths, over 100 injuries, and approximately $200 million USD in economic losses; political tensions between MQM and ANP intensified.