Like other parts of the country, a national day of mourning was observed Thursday in Sindh province over the massacre of 43 Ismaeli community people in the provincial metropolis.
In Karachi, all major markets, bazaars and schools were shut while public transport remained low. Colleges and universities also postponed their examinations amid tense situation in Karachi.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had announced the day of mourning throughout the country on Wednesday, while the Sindh government had also called for province-wide day of mourning. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement and several parties had also given such call to show sympathy with the victim families of those killed in the ghastly bus attack.
Businesses also remained closed in other major cities of Sindh, including Hyderabad, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Dadu and Nawabshah. Various trade organisations across Sindh also called for suspending commercial activities. The attendance in the offices and hospitals was also recorded slightly low, while social activities were also suspended.
Pakistan’s national flag flied half mast to mourn Safoora carnage to express solidarity with the victim families and their relatives. Various political and religious parties observed the day of mourning. Heavy contingent of police and Rangers were deployed around sensitive and worship places in Karachi and other parts of Sindh to avoid any untoward incident.
The 43 bus attack victims were laid to rest at Al-Noor graveyard near Sakhi Hassan Chowrangi in the metropolis amid mourning atmosphere. At a meeting attended by senior Sindh government, army and intelligence top officials, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif vowed to continue across the board operations against terrorists who commit heinous crimes.
The final rituals for the victims were performed at Al-Azhar Garden in Safoora Goth, which was attended by many political activists and citizens, along victim families. The bodies were given special security from Safoora Goth to the graveyard by volunteers of Ismaili community and law enforcement agencies.
At least 43 people were killed and 13 others injured in an armed attack on a bus carrying members of Ismaili community near Safoora Chowrangi in Karachi. The incident had saddened whole nation, while international community have also expressed concern over the ghastly attack.
KRC HOLDS DEMO AGAINST BUS ATTACK
Kachhi Rabita Committee (KRC) on Thursday held a protest demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club against massacre of 44 Ismaeli community people in Safoora Chworangi area.
The protestors, carrying placards and banners, raised slogans against government negligence, showed solidarity with Ismaeli community and demanded of Pakistan Army to expand its operation for elimination of terrorists from metropolis.
Addressing protestors, Abdullah Hussain Haroon, Haji Ibrahim Kacchi strongly condemned heinous act of killing and said the terrorists had started to kill Pakistan’s founder communities. They said it was attack on Pakistan’s integrity.
They said it was unfortunate that the Sindh government had left people hapless in the name of security.