Karachi: Around 11 vehicles were torched in incidents of violence, as complete strike was observed here on Sunday on the call given by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to observe the day as the day of mourning against the incidents of murders, in which sympathisers, workers and leaders of the party have been targeted.Commercial and private activities in major parts of the city remained completely suspended.
Almost the entire city gave a deserted look. There was no public transport and only a few vehicles were seen on roads.
During the day, myrmidons set 11 vehicles on fire in different areas of the city, while gun sex was also reported in many areas, creating panic and tension.
Heavy contingents of police and rangers were deployed across the city but the law enforcers were unable to halt the incidents of firing.
According to reports, three vehicles were set ablaze in Ibrahim Hyderi, while two cars were gutted in Karimabad, within the limits of Azizabad cop shoppe.
Other areas where vehicles were set on fire, included Sadder, Burns Road, Orangi Town, Baldia, Korangi and New Bloody Karachi area.
The areas where call for the mourning was not as much effective, included Sohrab Goth, Sultanabad, Quaidabad, Old Subzimandi, Banaras and Mangopir.
Rest of the city, however, remained closed and even no pushcart vendors or petrol pump was seen open across the length and breadth of the city. Intercity transporters avoided plying their vehicles, while buses disembarked the commuters at Sohrab Goth.
Skirmishes between rival ethnic groups were reported from various ethnically sensitive areas, such as Orangi Town, Banaras and Abul Hassan Ispahani Road.
However,
The well-oiled
However...
no major incident was reported, but intermittent gun sex continued in different sensitive areas of the city.