KARACHI: The hijack scare has taken a new turn. On Wednesday night [Sept 16], it was a call to blow up the Airport building and not the plane.

The Airport Manager informed the Police about it; and soon the additional Police force was dispatched to guard the Airport building. In spite of all the stringent measures ... the scare of a blast continued for the fourth day among those visiting the Airport building. The runway is being guarded by the armed Police ... The planes are coming and leaving on schedule....

[Meanwhile, as reported by another correspondent in Karachi,] The roundabout in front of the KPT House has become a rendezvous of dock workers, drivers of public vehicles, and vagrants now that the road leading to West Wharf has been declared open to one-way traffic. A large number of loading trucks also line up along the bridge, with camel and donkey carts adding to the confusion. …

While waiting for a business call, these drivers and their friends from the neighbourhood find ample time to spend on the roundabout, where they gossip, play cards and even hold meetings.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2020