PESHWAR: WednesdayÂ’s strike, held to condemn the publication of blasphemous cartoons in European newspapers, not only caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure, but also provided an opportunity to local businessmen to wreak havoc on their multinational competitors. Looting and plundering were the hallmarks of the strike, unprecedented in the history of the NWFP, where three people lost their lives and property worth millions of rupees was destroyed. Thousands participated in the protests staged in various parts of Peshawar and cantonment areas, but most of the people did not know what they were supposed to do. Unaware of their objectives, the protestors even attacked houses and residential areas instead of peacefully condemning the blasphemous act.
The strike was apparently held to show to the world that Muslims could even sacrifice their lives to protect the honour of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The leaderless mob went berserk, going from one place to another. A display of uncontrolled emotions seemed to be the rationale behind the strike.
Local transporters had been protesting the permission granted to the South Korean company Daewoo to run their buses on various routes within the province. Since the company provides quality service, commuters preferred Daewoo to local bus services on long routes. The protesters, led allegedly by some local transport union leaders, went to the Daewoo bus stand and set busses and coaches on fire causing a loss of millions of rupees. “The company suffered a loss of between Rs 250 million and Rs 300 million,” the manager of the company told reporters.
The protestors even tried to break into banks and steal money but were stopped in time at various places when police fired teargas. Though the protestors ravaged every building, office, shop and bank that came in their way, some people particularly targeted Soneri Bank. “Some people among the protestors at the Yadgar Chowk asked to pelt stones on Soneri Bank since it was owned by Aga Khan and demonstrators ransacked its branches,” said Ibrar Ali, an eyewitness. He said that though no bank was spared, Soneri Bank was the main target.
Franchise offices of Telenor, a Norwegian Telecom Company, were another target however, at some places Mobilink offices were also gutted. Some Telenor franchises covered their signboards with large banners inscribed with Kalima-e-Tayyaba but protestors uncovered these boards and then destroyed them. An outlet of the KFC which is regularly targeted by Islamic extremists, was completely destroyed. People went inside the KFC building and destroyed it completely, looting it and setting it on fire. A nearby Mobilink franchise also received similar treatment.
Afghan refugees and people from suburban villages also joined the protest and some of them were seen carrying looted mobile phone sets, shoes and other goods after they had ransacked shops at Sadar Bazaar and on University Road. People took full advantage of the chaotic situation and helplessness of the police and went around the city freely looting shops. At various places, miscreants uprooted billboards, telephone cables and cut down heavy electric transmission lines. The Peshawar Electric Supply Company and the Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited were even unable to restore supply lines till Thursday.