By Syed Raza Hassan
KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - A Pakistani opposition lawmaker was shot and wounded and his driver was killed on Tuesday in the port city of Karachi, police said, as sensitive political negotiations involving his party began.
Abdul Rashid Godil, a member of the city's powerful Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), was attacked while in his car, Deputy Inspector General Munir Shaikh said.
"Mr Rashid has suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He is being treated at a private hospital," Shaikh told Reuters, adding that Rashid's driver died in the attack.
The MQM dominates Karachi politics and has over decades developed a reputation for at times violent rivalry with other parties and criminal gangs.
But recently it has been targeted by law enforcement agencies seeking to exert their control over Pakistan's largest city.
Tuesday's attack took place as talks began at MQM's Karachi headquarters with intermediaries trying to convince the party's lawmakers to withdraw their resignations from parliament that were submitted last week in protest against the crackdown.
Another police official, Superintendent Abid Qaimkhani, said a 9 mm pistol was used in the attack.