KARACHI, April 10: Commercial activities in North Nazimabad and surrounding areas remained suspended on Wednesday, in protest against the killing of a Muttahida activist on Tuesday night.

Former sector committee member of North Nazimabad, Abul Khair, better known as Isphahan Haider, aged 37, was shot dead at his shop in Hydri Market by two unknown assailants riding on a motorcycle.

Following the killing, tension griped the entire locality and the shopkeepers pulled down their shutters. Aerial firing was also reported from different blocks of North Nazimabad on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday, the entire business area of North Nazimabad, including Hydri Market, remained closed throughout the day.

The busy commercial area of Hydri market wore a deserted look as even small stalls remained closed. Some private schools, colleges and coaching centres also remained closed.

Tension also prevailed in the adjoining areas of Ali Daulat Square Block G, North Nazimabad, where the victim resided.

The traffic also remained thin in the morning, but during the day it returned to normalcy.

The slain activist, who had got married two months back, was buried in Wadi-i-Husain graveyard at Super Highway.

Police said that it was a sectarian killing and apparently not an ethnic one.