KARACHI: Occasional stoning by students and youngsters on public and private vehicles marked the fifth day of protest against the rise in bus fare in the affected areas of the city yesterday [Dec 1]. Police also fired teargas shells several times to disperse the unruly mobs in Nazimabad and Paposhnagar. A violent mob attacked two bank branches near the Paposhnagar round-about … and attempted to loot the cash in vain. The crowd tried to set the bank on fire but could only damage its records and some furniture. Police immediately arrived … and the situation was brought under control. … Total arrests made yesterday stood at 71. — Staff reporter

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies,] King Faisal of Saudi Arabia has expressed his full confidence in the stand taken by Pakistan towards their Arab brethren. The King, in a letter he sent to Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on Nov 23 … said: “We are sure of full Pakistan support, as far as it can, in this struggle of (Arab) destiny.” Agreeing with the suggestion to hold an Islamic conference, he said an opportunity was now available for such a meeting “to unite all the Muslims and pool their resources for liberation of holy Jerusalem. …”

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2023