KARACHI, Sept 9: The joint opposition’s call for a nationwide strike on Friday received mixed response in Karachi. In most parts of the city a complete strike was observed while in many other areas it remained partial.

The call for the strike was given in protest against the rising prices, rigging in the recently-held local body election, the government’s foreign policy Gen Pervez Musharraf’s holding of dual offices.

Opposition leaders termed the strike ‘a complete success’ but the government said that people rejected the strike call.

Many people residing in different localities and independent observers told Dawn that business, trade and educational activities in most parts of the city remained suspended in the first half of the day, although some markets, bazaars and offices in various areas were seen open after Friday prayers.

No major incident of violence was reported from any part of the city till late in the night. However, some sporadic incidents of stone-pelting took place in certain localities in the morning.

A bus of route number 20 was set on fire by a mob in Rasheedabad, Site area whereas stone-pelting was reported from Landhi, Quaidabad, Baldia Town and Kalapul areas.

Several dozens of people were picked up allegedly for trying to force traders and shopkeepers to keep their business closed.

Most of the private educational institutions remained closed but those in public sector, including universities and colleges, remained open although the attendance appeared thin. Attendance in a number of government offices also remained thin.

Almost all major shopping malls, including Saddar, Zainab Market, Tariq Road and Haidery wore a deserted look with shops and offices remaining closed since morning. Same was the situation in Boulton Market, Jodia Bazaar and Plastic Market.

In the fashionable areas of Clifton and Defence, a number of shopping areas and bazaars were opened after Friday prayers.

Public transport throughout the city was visibly thin as most of minibuses and coaches remained off the road. About fifty per cent of taxis and rickshaws were seen plying in many areas. Private vehicles, however, kept plying without facing any resistance or threat. Though the traffic movement did not normalize at any stage during the day, a considerably big number of vehicles were seen plying on various roads in the evening.

The Karachi Stock Exchange functioned normally on Friday. Activity at ports was affected by the strike but normal working in banks was reported.

Proceedings in lower courts were affected as people were not able to reach the courts due to the absence of adequate public transport.

The city court premises wore a deserted look where even stamp vendors could not turn up. The attendance of court staff was also thin though judges and judicial magistrates had managed to arrive.

The situation at the courts in Malir, anti-terrorism courts on Queen’s Road and the accountability courts was not different as lawyers, litigants and witnesses could not reach the courts.

Police produced under-trial prisoners before their respective courts to obtain remands.