Islamabad, Dec 10 (IANS): The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Wednesday announced a countrywide protest over the killing of a party activist in Pakistan's Sialkot district, media reports said.

"I appeal to the workers to hold protest demonstrations and decide about the routes of the processions and venues of demonstrations on their own. Protest demonstrations should be held throughout Pakistan, besides Karachi, even if 10 people take part in it," MQM chief Altaf Hussain was quoted as saying by Dawn online.

MQM district vice-president Bao Anwar was gunned down by unidentified armed men riding on a motorcycle outside a restaurant Wednesday.

Following the murder, an emergency party meeting of the MQM was held, during which the party leadership warned the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in Punjab to be prepared for protests against the targeted killing of MQM workers, Geo TV reported.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain strongly condemned the killing and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killing.

"When a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Inasf (PTI) worker was gunned down in Faisalabad a few days ago, the MQM extended sympathies to the PTI leaders and condemned the unleashing of terrorism against PTI workers," he said.