KARACHI, July 16: Life in the city was returning to normal on Sunday following two days of violence in several localities. The violence had erupted soon after the assassination of Islami Tehrik leader Allama Hasan Turabi on Friday evening. A suicide bomber blew himself up to kill Allama Turabi near his house in Abbas Town.

The Allama’s young nephew, Ali, who was standing near him, also sustained fatal wounds in the blast.

As soon as the Allama’s death was announced at a private hospital in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, groups of shocked and grieved people took to the street in many localities causing damage to public and private property, setting fire to vehicles. The reaction led to the closure of many markets and shops, which remained closed on the following day, Saturday, in response to a call, given by MMA, for a strike against the assassination.

Personnel of the law-enforcement agencies deployed at sensitive points of the city remained on alert on Sunday to meet any eventuality amid a gloomy and sad atmosphere while fear ruled the city.

Major shopping centres, bazaars and markets, as well as most commercial outlets, remained closed on Sunday being the weekly holiday.

However, regular Sunday features, like Sunday Bazaar, were not organised due to the fear of violence. The Arts Council also skipped its Sunday event, Koocha-i-Saqafat, for the Soyem of Allama Turabi which was observed on Sunday.

Public and private transport was plying but in lesser number than it is usually seen on Sundays. However, the overall law and order situation remained peaceful as no untoward incident was reported till late in the evening.