Strike call: Two KU buses come under attack

The buses came under attack after KU decided to stay open on Saturday.

KARACHI:

At least two point buses of the Karachi University (KU) were attacked on Saturday morning as they went across the city to pick up students and employees. A university official said that windows were smashed and at least two students were injured. KU had announced on Friday that it would remain open on Saturday and that classes would go ahead, even though a province-wide strike against extortion was called.

KU’s transport committee chairman, Zulqarnain Shadab, told The Express Tribune that the attacks were reported from Gulberg and Safoora Chowrangi. “Our bus drivers are experienced so they managed to drive past the men without bearing significant losses.” He added that the men pelted the buses with stones, which could have gone through the windows and hit students.

Numerous university employees and students told The Express Tribune that other buses were also stopped in different parts of the city, including Dawood Chowrangi, Orangi and Shah Faisal colony. These men told drivers to return to the university.

Shadab said that attendance at the university was thin, as many point buses came back empty. “A large number of students also choose to use public transport, but it wasn’t available because of the strike.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2012.