Strike against Quetta bombings in Karachi called off, roads still blocked
Blast under FTC flyover did not cause any damage to life.
A photo showing deserted roads of Karachi during a strike. PHOTO: ONLINE
KARACHI:
The Shia Ulema Council (SUC) has called off its strike in Karachi at the request of the Karachi Traders Association (KTA), though many roads continued to be blocked due to protests.
The SUC had called the strike on Monday as a protest against the bombings in Quetta that killed more than 80 people on Sunday.
The KTA chairman has said that businesses will re-open from 4pm this evening in Karachi.
Earlier, political and religious parties had supported today’s call for strike, while the lawyers’ community decided to boycott courts in protest.
The outlawed sectarian group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) had claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing.
Throughout the day, sit-ins were organised in Ancholi, Ayesha Manzil and Federal B areas of Karachi and on Sharah-e-Faisal and MA Jinnah road to protest the bombings, with road blockages and transport delays creating problems for many people.
Even though the strike was called off, roads in many parts of the city continued till late evening.
Firing in Patel para
Heavy contingents of police and Rangers have been deployed in Patel Para area of Karachi after armed men had fired at a hotel, Express News reported.
Express News correspondent Nadeem Khan reported that armed men and security forces were intermittently trading fire.
Some protesters in the area have also torched two motorcycles and tyres, thereby blocking the road for traffic.
Police have resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the protesters.
Blast near FTC building
An explosive device planted under the Federal Trade Centre flyover on Korangi road went off on Monday evening, Express News reported.
Express News correspondent Nadeem Khan reported that the explosion blew up a piece of the kerb under the bridge, as the blast was heard for miles around. The blast left a crater at least a foot deep.
Fortunately, police said only a few cars were damaged by the exploding planted device, but there were no injuries or loss of life to report.
The Shia Ulema Council (SUC) has called off its strike in Karachi at the request of the Karachi Traders Association (KTA), though many roads continued to be blocked due to protests.
The SUC had called the strike on Monday as a protest against the bombings in Quetta that killed more than 80 people on Sunday.
The KTA chairman has said that businesses will re-open from 4pm this evening in Karachi.
Earlier, political and religious parties had supported today’s call for strike, while the lawyers’ community decided to boycott courts in protest.
The outlawed sectarian group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) had claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing.
Throughout the day, sit-ins were organised in Ancholi, Ayesha Manzil and Federal B areas of Karachi and on Sharah-e-Faisal and MA Jinnah road to protest the bombings, with road blockages and transport delays creating problems for many people.
Even though the strike was called off, roads in many parts of the city continued till late evening.
Firing in Patel para
Heavy contingents of police and Rangers have been deployed in Patel Para area of Karachi after armed men had fired at a hotel, Express News reported.
Express News correspondent Nadeem Khan reported that armed men and security forces were intermittently trading fire.
Some protesters in the area have also torched two motorcycles and tyres, thereby blocking the road for traffic.
Police have resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the protesters.
Blast near FTC building
An explosive device planted under the Federal Trade Centre flyover on Korangi road went off on Monday evening, Express News reported.
Express News correspondent Nadeem Khan reported that the explosion blew up a piece of the kerb under the bridge, as the blast was heard for miles around. The blast left a crater at least a foot deep.
Fortunately, police said only a few cars were damaged by the exploding planted device, but there were no injuries or loss of life to report.