KARACHI, Feb 18: Shops and markets were forcibly closed by some elements and violence broke out in some areas on Saturday night after rumours about the killing of Sunni Tehrik’s chief Abbas Qadri.

The rumours circulated around the city and people started to call newspaper offices to confirm the information. People in different areas took to the street and forced shopkeepers to close their shops.

Markets and shops in various areas, including Kharadar, North Nazimabad, Jamshed Quarters, Water Pump, Gulberg, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Soldier Bazaar and Saddar, were forcibly closed by some people wearing turbans and wielding clubs and sticks in their hands.

An eyewitness said that old tyres were set on fire on Jamshed Road.

People complained that traffic flow was interrupted and vehicles were stuck up at many areas including Water Pump in Federal ‘B’ Area, Liaquatabad, Soldier Bazaar and Gulshan-i-Iqbal.