MWM, JUI factions, AWSJ call for strike in Karachi in protest. PHOTO: AFP
A suicide bomber had killed at least 22 pilgrims on a bus that was making its way through the Pakistan-Iran highway in Mastung district on the evening of January 21. Another 31 pilgrims, including women and children, were injured in the attack – which was claimed by the outlawed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ).
Following the strike call, all associations of private schools in the city announced to keep the educational institutions closed.
Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI), the apex body of public transport vehicle owners, also decided to keep its vehicles off the roads till 3pm today.
A strike call was also made by both the factions of Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam, led by Maulana Samiul Haq and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ). Both sets of organisations said they want to protest the ‘systematic killings’ of their supporters.
The protest is against the target killing of Secretary of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Samiul Haq (JUI-S), Sindh chapter, Mufti Usman Yar Khan, and other victims.
On January 17, Mufti Khan, was shot dead along with his private guard and a driver in a targeted attack near Karachi’s Awami Markaz at Sharah-e-Faisal.
Hand grenade attack
A police mobile was targeted in a hand grenade attack in Karachi today. The blast took place in Hassan Square near Essa Nagri and no loss of life was reported.
In another incident, firing at a jeep on Benaras Pul in Karachi killed one person.
On January 9, a suicide bomb blast had killed arguably Pakistan’s best known police-commander, Superintendent of Police (SP) Crime Investigation Department (CID) Chaudhry Aslam, near Essa Nagri at the Lyari Expressway.
According to senior CID officer Iqbal Mehmood the bomber had smashed his vehicle into Aslam’s convoy and he and two other policemen were killed.
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Every group protesting against the killing of their supporters. No wonder why the protests always go in vain. We must stand united, we have to understand that if a Pakistani is killed, it is one of ours, our brother. If we join hands, and condemn the act together, what can the small violence promoting group do against the power of 170 million Pakistanis?!
@Kashif: And, why acts of burning and lawlessness.? Why not peaceful dharna at the PM's office?
Blast happened in Mastung while the strike happened in Karachi??? I am Puzzled!!! Why not Islamabad?
Its ASWJ not AWSJ. Please correct the error in the title.
@Shafaq: Policies of PPP/Musharaf, supporting specific sects have brought Pakistan at this position.
@sodomite: Police mobile was a target. Not Christians.
@sodomite relax, there is no relation of this with christians, dont prevail such thoughts plz.
Why this unrest has increased alot in whole country???? There should be some reason for it. Our new Government is not doing anything.
Essa Nagri is a Christian area. Sad to see the fundamentalists at war with everyone. The soul of Pakistan is at stake; whether we survive as a progressive nation or fall down the abyss like Somalia and Afghanistan.