News
Friday, July 15, 2011
MQM protest against Mirza’s remarksKarachi wears deserted look amid panic
By Asad Farooq
KARACHI: The metropolis wore a deserted look on Thursday as social and business activities were completely suspended in response to the call given by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to observe a countrywide protest against a controversial remarks by Sindh Senior Minister Zulfiqar Mirza during a speech against MQM chief Altaf Hussain and Urdu-speaking people on Wednesday at a dinner hosted by Awami National Party at Mardan House.
The panic ruled the city from Wednesday night to Thursday evening due to violence erupted over Mirza’s remarks. Public transport remained off the roads across the city, causing problems to commuters and office-goers. To avoid losses, the Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI) had announced to keep the transport off the roads. A very small number of private vehicles, few taxis and rickshaws were witnessed on the city roads.
Karachiites as well as residents of Hyderabad and other cities of the province faced immense problems to run their daily life. All shops, markets and hotels remained closed throughout the city. The attendance in public and private offices was also very low, while educational institutes and universities cancelled their examination papers.
Several social and intellectual events were postponed due to the violent situation. All the private and public educational institutes, including University of Karachi, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Dow University of Health Sciences and other remained closed, while Sindh Board of Technical Education postponed papers, which were scheduled to be held on Thursday.
On Thursday several rallies were taken out in various parts of the city. Amid protests, effigies of Mirza were also torched. Protesters from across the city attempted to take out a protest rally towards Mirza’s resident but their attempt was foiled as roads towards his residents were blocked by the law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
Entire city, particularly Liaquatabad, Baldia, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, New Karachi, Korangi, North Karachi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Shah Faisal and Gulberg areas were badly hit by the violence. The angry mobs also pelted stones on passing vehicles. Heavy contingents of police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed on several points of the city to avoid any unwanted incident. However, the situation normalised in the city after the MQM chief appealed to people to end protest and remain peaceful.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk