KARACHI, Oct 22: The metropolis limped back to normalcy on Monday after nine days of shutter-down, closure of major markets and bazaars, absence of public transport from roads and disruption in supplies of essential items.
The period comprises four days — Saturday to Tuesday — declared public holiday on account of Eidul Fitr and the three-day mourning announced by the Pakistan People’s Party following the heavy casualties in the Oct 18 blasts.
During this period, people of Karachi shared cheerful moments of Eid and its festivities and also the tragic moments and painful memories of the twin blasts.
Routine life in the city was badly affected by the absence of most public transport vehicles as transporters kept their business almost closed to join in the mourning.
The city’s hustle and bustle returned on Monday when workers, students, businessmen and traders resumed their usual activities and public transport vehicles emerged on roads in full strength, carrying heavy loads of passengers. Private vehicles were also seen playing in a usual number.
The academic activities in schools, colleges and universities resumed with normal presence of students and staff.
Government, semi-government and autonomous institutions recorded normal staff attendance after several days of very thin attendance in almost all government departments. The absence of such a big number of workers has been attributed to different factors, like a state of shock that gripped the entire city after the Thursday blasts, absence of public transport, grief and mourning, fear of violence, etc.
The fuel stations were reopened after several days of closure and long queues of vehicles were noticed at almost all these stations in the morning.
All major shopping and commercial centres were opened on Monday and normal business was observed throughout the day.
Ban imposed
A spokesman for the provincial home department on Monday said that the federal interior ministry had imposed a complete ban on the carrying and displaying of both of prohibited and non-prohibited bore across the country under Section 11-B of the Pakistan Arms Ordinance, 1965 with immediate effect. The ban would remain in force until further orders.
Any violation of the ban will be punishable under the ordinance.—Agencies
