KARACHI, June 3: Tension prevailed in most parts of Lyari on Saturday as people observed a shutterdown on the call of the local PPP supporters following overnight acrimonious exchanges between activists of PPP and MQM.
The shutterdown, observed in certain parts of Lyari, was also aimed at expressing disapproval of the public meeting in Kakri Ground organised by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and was to be addressed telephonically by MQM founder Altaf Hussain on Saturday evening.
Shops and business concerns in the areas were closed on Friday soon after a clash between the two sides at Aath Chowk. Stringent security measures were taken by the local administration in and around the venue of the public meeting. Most of the entry points of Kakri Ground were sealed off.
Police and paramilitary Rangers were deployed in many parts of Lyari Town to maintain law and order.
On Friday night, participants of a procession of MQM supporters indulged in an altercation with PPP supporters at Aath Chowk, where a PPP corner meeting was in progress. The altercation led to a fist fight after which, according to some residents, the MQM supporters escaped from the scene leaving behind their vehicles bearing government number plates. The matter was reported to the police.
On Saturday, enraged residents of the locality burnt tyres on roads at many places, including Baghdadi, Singhu Lane and Chawkiwara. However, the situation in and around Kakri Ground remained visibly unaffected as MQM supporters arriving from all parts of the city and outside confined their activities to the preparations for the public meeting. Carrying party flags and huge portraits of Altaf Hussain, they were chanting slogans and playing the party’s theme songs. Receptions camps had been set up at different places in the area to welcome the participants.
According to the local residents, normal business, educational and social activities were affected by the shutterdown as shops and markets in certain localities remained closed. They said that at many bank branches, transaction could not take place due to the absence of staff. Public transport was also thin.
Offices of Lyari Town and all affiliated UCs remained closed due to the absence of staff.
“A large number of PPP activists was arrested on the directive of the Sindh government,” claimed PPP MNA Nabil Gabol, who remarked: “The shutterdown has proved that the MQM is not welcomed by Lyariites, who consider that party a collection of thugs.”
He alleged that the Sindh government was victimising PPP workers in Lyari Town but the PPP would not come under pressure. “I had contacted police for the release of PPP workers and was assured that they would be let off after the MQM meeting,” the MNA said.
Commenting on the tension in Lyari, analysts said that apart from the Friday clash, the detention of Altaf Hussain’s father-in-law Faisal Malik might have added to the anti-MQM feelings among Lyariites, who include Gabols. They said that any action against Mr Malik would prove counter-productive for the MQM as Mr Malik maintained links with some pro-PPP figur es of Gabol family.
