Unrest In Sindh: Police absent as armed men take to streets
Unrest erupted in Karachi on Friday night when unidentified armed men, riding on motorbikes, resorted to aerial firing, forcing shopkeepers and traders to shut down their businesses abruptly.
At around 9:30pm, the sudden wave of firing caused panic and fear among the city’s populace, with a flurry of people rushing home to safety. Anxious commuters caused massive traffic jams in different parts of Karachi, including the main artery of the city, Shara-e-Faisal. Petrol pumps and CNG stations were also closed down.
Law enforcers appeared helpless to control or explain the situation, as to who could be involved behind the bedlam. Karachi police chief, Iqbal Mehmood’s phone was switched off, leaving him unavailable for comment. However, the police head of the most affected District Central, DIG Javed Odho, told The Express Tribune, “No firing incident occurred in my district at least”. He added, “Unidentified men contacted shop owners by cell phones and threatened them to close down their shops.” DIG Odho assured that the police would take stern action if they identified anyone involved in the ruckus.
Besides District Central, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulberg, Shah Faisal Colony, Malir, Korangi, Pak Colony, Gulbahar, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Burns Road, Saddar, North Karachi, Federal B area and old city areas including Ranchore Lane, Kharadar, Mithadar, Ramswami, Defence Khadda market, and others were also affected.
Similar scenes were witnessed in Hyderabad and adjoining areas. Unidentified gunmen fired aerial shots, forcing shops to shut down in several parts of Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Tando Allahyar districts.
Although the tense situation continued for over an hour, the police was marked by its absence. No gunman was arrested till the filing of this report.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2012.
COMMENTS (21)
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we pakistani live in a state where a minority controls to a majority in matters which are in concern of it. there is no force of government ultimately the writ of government. it is very unfortunate that one meager group is consistently creating socio-political disorder but government is miserbly silent in order to secure the vested interests of governance. shame on the behavior of government...pundit
@Intelektual: Shooting people and closing down shops is freedom of speech or act of terrorism?
@Intelektual: Baltackery and Altaf. I agree the resemblance is uncanny..
Dirty politics. Whoever does whatever blame goes to one single party.
PPP should also be blamed for this mess, what may seemed to be an imp has turned into double headed humongous monster, one with a political head n the other which shut down city last night, operation clean-up has never been so indispensable
Thats the difference between India & Pakistan. Two people were arrested becuz 1 commented on Fb against the shut down in mumbai cuz of the death of Bal Thakray and the other liked it ! here the SC is issuing notice to a Major political party cheif ! A party that is part of the constitutional process in coalition with the leaders against criticizing a court order ! A party that has recently shown and proven its mandate by just holding a women and kids address !! There goes the freedom of speech and there goes the peace in the city ... It would be childish to assume there is not gonna be any reaction !
Forced shut down of shops, aerial firing and violence in Karachi send one signal to whole Pakistan that they can hold city under hostage in case any one ever dares to ask for their accountability. Do we live in Karachi or in tribal area or in stone age? This is worse than jungle law, we are becoming banana republic where powerful groups are NO more ACCOUNTABLE. For prosper and safe Pakistan, criminals and violent groups need to be defeated and state apparatus should not get blackmailed by threats and violent manifestations of any party or group.
Thanks to the people. At last none commented / termed it as an act of RAW / CIA/ MOSSAD. seems common sense prevailed .
A major cleanup operation is req friends, or say Farewell!
@sick of this nonsense: Please speak out openly and not covertly. Thanx and Salams
A strong message to SC. Army action is the need of time.
So Stupid leader. The court gives verdict against him and his party members goes and destroy's their own city...hahahaha
And brainless Awam will still go and vote for him in the future..how sad
it seems to me that because of SC we are in 1971 again... just by writing the above line; now i am waiting for contempt notice from SC... please SC there is a difference between criticising and contempt... do not act like a spoil child...
Is it that hard to figure out who did all this?
Baluchistan is already out of control, it is my humble request to SC PLEASE don't bring unrest to Karachi by their decisions.
Must be a conspiracy by Punjab.
@ TruthSeeker 100%.. because of the contempt notice from SC
I think, Taliban are involved in this.
So MQM is responsible for all this..? Answers please....