An unannounced strike against issuance of contempt of court notice to Muttehida Quami Movement (MQM) chief, Altaf Hussein, brought the normal course of life in Karachi, and parts of interior of Sindh to standstill amid incidents of aerial firing, and patrolling of armed youths in the streets throughout the day on Saturday.
Armed youths riding motorbikes took the control of the streets of Karachi from Friday evening resorting to aerial firing and forcing the shopkeepers to pull their shutters down. Public transport too disappeared from the roads on Friday evening following burning of various vehicles in different parts of the metropolis.
Many parts of Karachi like Burns Road, M.A Jinnah Road, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Landhi, Korangi, Orangi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, Guru Mander and others rattled by gunshots in the air warning the citizens to remain indoors and shopkeepers to keep their shutters down on Saturday morning.
Although, the self-exiled chief of the MQM asked his supporters to show restraint against issuance of contempt of court notice to him, however “ unknown” armed youths flouting his directives took to the streets in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpur Khas, and Nawabshah on Friday evening, and Saturday soon after Mr. Hussein addressed the party workers at Nine-zero, the MQM’s headquarters.
In Karachi, major trading markets, and shopping centers remained closed in Saddar, the downtown of the metropolis, Tariq Road, Jodia Bazaar, Tower, Light House, Kharadar, Lyari , where armed youths created panic on Friday night by resorting to aerial firing and burning vehicles.
All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, a representative body of traders had already announced to keep their shutters down on Saturday due to lawlessness in the city.
However, shops, medical stores, and other outlets remained open in Shireen Jinnah Colony, Banaras, Shershah, Baldia Town, Patel Para, and some other parts dominated by other political parties..
A majority of petrol pumps remained closed in respective areas. Most of the offices and industrial units in the city also remained closed.
Almost 90 per cent Public transport remained off the road as mobs of rock-throwing youths burnt tyres in several parts of the city.
Contingents of police and rangers were deployed across the city, however, they acted as silent spectators.
All the state-owned universities, colleges and the Karachi Intermediate Board had already postponed the exams, which were scheduled for Friday. All the government and private schools and colleges remained also closed.
The annual elections of Karachi Bar Association (KBA) were postponed as the outgoing President of the association Mahmood-ul-Hassan told newsmen that the elections had bene postponed to protect the lives of lawyers.
Buying at the Fruit and Vegetable Market (New Sabzi Mandi) was also affected due to unavailability of transport. The strike also affected port activity due to the non-availability of transport vehicles in adequate number.
Supporters of MQM held protest demonstrations in various parts of Karachi, and Hyderabad against issuance of contempt of court notice to their leader. They were carrying posters and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of their demands. They also chanted slogans against judiciary.
Reports trickling from Hyderabad, suggested that a partial strike was observed in the city as various bazaars , markets and commercial centers remained closed. However, normal activities were witnessed in suburban areas the city.
Similar reports were received from Sukkur, Nawabshah and Mirpur Khas, where angry youths resorted to aerial firing and forced the shopkeepers to close down their businesses.
Strike in Karachi, other parts of Interior Sindh
