Former Pakistani senator named accused in Sikh lawmaker murder case

PESHAWAR: A former senator of Pakistan's Awami National Party has been named as one of the suspects involved in the assassination of prominent Sikh lawmaker Sardar Soran Singh, who was gunned down by contract killers allegedly hired by his miffed Hindu rival after he failed to secure a ticket for polls.

Former senator Amarjeet Malhotra has been included in the list of suspects involved in the killing of 52-year-old Singh, who was the Special Assistant to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Minority Affairs.

Senator Amarjeet Malhotra belongs to Tehsil Barikot of Swat District and has political affiliations with the ANP.

Main accused Baldev Kumar, who is in custody, also belongs to Tehsil Barikot.

Singh was shot dead on April 22 by contract killers allegedly hired by his miffed Hindu rival Baldev after he failed to secure a ticket for elections in 2013.

Baldev, a Swat district councilor and minority leader of Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), hired contract killers by promising them Rs one million, police had said.

He was miffed after being overlooked for the ticket which was given to Singh who was comparatively new entrant to the PTI.

Pakistani Taliban had claimed responsibility for the murder.