KARACHI, Jan 1: A tense calm prevailed in Lyari Town on Tuesday with traders and shopkeepers resuming their trade activities and crowds of people thronging their shops to buy essential commodities. Public and private transport reemerged on major thoroughfares and most other roads though their numbers remained small.

A better law and order was felt in the troubled areas of the town which had witnessed chaos and anarchy or wore a deserted look over the last four days. Firing into the air and clashes between criminals and law-enforcement agencies personnel have died down to a great extent, at least for the time being.

Normality returned to Baghdadi, Nawabad and Daryabad areas, the worst-hit areas in the violence that had gripped many localities of the town since the assassination of PPP chairperson Ms Benazir Bhutto last Thursday.

Almost all major markets and bazaars witnessed near-normal business activity on Tuesday.

PPP leader Nabeel Gabol paid a visit to different areas, including those which witnessed serious violence until Monday evening, and advised his party workers in particular and affected people in general to work for peace and harmony.

The situation in Chawkiwara grew tense for quite some time when a group of youths tried to force shopkeepers to pull down shutters in the afternoon. However, PPP activists and social workers intervened to foil their bid.

Town Nazim Malik Mohammad Fayyaz, when contacted, said it will take some time to get the situation normalized. “Activists are still in a state of shock and we have to take effective measures to allay fears among residents of the troubled areas who are panicked and feel insecure.”

He observed that business and trade activities and routine life had not been restored as yet, claiming that only 20 to 30 per cent traders had returned to their normal business.

“The local authorities will have to take steps to restore confidence of the business community as well as of the general public who have experienced some of the worst-ever street violence over the past few days.” He appealed to all stakeholders to play their due role in restoring peace and confidence.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Lyari Rabita Council, Haji Javed Memon, has also appealed to all segments of society to make joint efforts for the restoration of peace and harmony in the town.