KARACHI, Nov 9: A complete strike was observed in the city on Friday on a call given by religious parties to protest against the US-led coalition’s military action against Afghanistan and the killing of innocent civilians.

Different religious parties, under the auspices of the Muttahida Majlis-i- Amal and in coordination with the Pak-Afghan Defence Council, gave the countrywide strike call to express solidarity with the Taliban government and the Afghan people and to protest against the bombing of Afghanistan.

The administration had deployed heavy contingents of police and rangers at various places in the city to maintain law and order. Police had tightened security and undertook intensive patrolling, especially in sensitive areas of the city. Police and rangers in their mobile vans patrolled roads throughout the day to maintain law and order.

Police closed the roads leading to the US consulate and the office of the British deputy high commission as part of security measures. Personnel of law- enforcement agencies were also deployed at the residences of foreign dignitaries and at the offices of multinational companies.

As it was a public holiday on Nov 9 for Allama Iqbal’s birth anniversary, business and commercial activities remained closed. Educational institutions were also closed.

Public transport remained off the roads throughout the day as one of the major transporters organizations — the Karachi Transport Federation — had endorsed the strike call. The Karachi Transport Ittehad did not join in the strike. However, most of public transport remained of the roads throughout the day.

In the absence of public transport, people preferred to stay indoors watching TV to keep themselves abreast of the latest situation in the Afghan war and the impact of the strike call in other parts of the country.

Reports of pelting moving vehicles with stones were received from Quaidabad, Nazimabad, Orangi Town and Chakiwara where youths took to streets. They also burnt old tyres on roads. A 14-year-old boy, Umair, was hit by a stray bullet. He was admitted to a hospital.

Two Edhi ambulances were partially damaged when they were attacked and stoned by miscreants in Quaidabad and Orangi Town. However, police controlled the situation.

Protesters gathered at Bacha Khan Chowk and shouted slogans against the government for extending assistance to the United States-led coalition. They burnt old tyres and hurled brickbats at police. Police resorted to shelling and baton charged protesters to disperse them. Later, police said, the situation was brought under control.