Unidentified gunmen shot dead a prominent religious scholar and former Sindh Provincial Assembly member, belonging to the Tehrik-e-Islami, in Karachi yesterday in what police called a "terrorist" attack.

Ather Qureshi, 70, a former central leader of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), was walking to the Madinah Mosque outside his house in central Karachi when he was gunned down. "He died on the spot. It is an act of terrorism," provincial police chief Aftab Nabi said.

Sindh home secretary Brigadier Mukhtar Ahmed said it was premature to fix responsibility, however police and paramilitary forces were on alert in case of a further outbreak of religious violence.

Police officials have suspended the officer in charge of the North Nazimabd police station, Arshad Zaidi, for disobeying orders to depute police pickets outside places of worship, and have served a show-cause notice on the deputy superintendent of police for dereliction of duty.

Family members said, Qureshi, a scholar and practising homeopath, had reached the gates of the mosque for Fajr (morning) prayers when he was shot dead. Some of those heading for the mosque reported to the police that they had seen four motorcycle riders, shooting him from close range.

Qureshi, a non-controversial figure, was Sindh general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami and was elected MPA in the 1985 non-party elections. Later he developed differences with the party leadership and concentrating on teaching in a religious school and treating patients at his small clinic.

Some years ago, he joined the little-known Tehrik-e-Islami and was appointed its chief for the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. One police official said the murder may have been aimed at fanning sectarian tension. "We do not see any other motive for killing this man". The administration has banned pillion riding in Karachi and has resisted pressure to lift the ban.