A tense atmosphere: Graffiti on Benazir’s portrait upsets PPP workers

HYDERABAD:

Tension gripped parts of Hyderabad on Saturday after unknown persons wrote the word 'Muhajir' on a portrait of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in downtown Fuleli area. In retaliation, enraged Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) workers blocked roads and shouted provocative slogans.

While markets were initially only closed in Fuleli, other parts of the City tehsil also began to shut down within hours in fear of a possible clash between the rival party activists. However, the PPP and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) managed to calm down their workers.

"There are anti-Sindh elements who want to stir ethnic clashes," said protester Nadir Shah. "We want to tell them loud and clear that we will not tolerate any mockery of our martyred party leaders."

The protesters demanded that the PPP leadership take notice of the incident.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2014.