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KARACHI: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad ordered a crackdown on criminals and the High Court chief justice sought a report from police and Rangers chiefs about the frequent strikes and incidents of violence as Karachi saw the third shutdown within a week on Saturday.
Karachiites woke up to find all markets closed and public transport off the road after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) called for a day of mourning across Sindh in protest against the pre-dawn armed attack near the Banaras bridge, in Orangi Town, that claimed the lives of four people. Among the dead were a man and his 12-year-old son.
At least six people fell prey to the day-long violence in different parts of the city.
Activity in almost every walk of life came to a crippling halt. Hyderabad and Latifabad, Mirpurkhas, Digri, Jhuddo, Naukot and Kot Ghulam Mohammad also saw partial shutdowns.
The MQM came out with harsh words for the Awami National Party (ANP), accusing it of trying to destroy peace in the city by “killing innocent Muhajirs and resorting to blatant terrorism”.
“They (Muhajirs) cannot be subjugated by any form of terrorism and will not allow a reign of terror and crime to descend on Karachi,” said a terse statement released by the MQM coordination committee.
“The ANP leaders claim that they have come to Karachi to earn their livelihood, but it is obvious to the people of Karachi that they are involved in terrorism, loot, plunder and unlawful occupation of properties,” it added.
Before the provincial administration moved in, Sindh High Court Chief Justice Mushir Alam ordered police and Rangers chiefs to submit a report on the frequent shutdowns and incidents of violence in Karachi that have left about 30 people dead and scores of others wounded since Monday. Over 50 vehicles have been set on fire.
Governor Ishratul Ibad summoned a meeting in the evening to review law and order in the city and ordered a “crackdown against criminals”. Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan and senior officials of police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies attended the meeting.
“Police have been ordered to launch a crackdown on criminals without taking into consideration their party affiliation,” Mr Wassan told Dawn after the meeting. He came up with appeal against the day of mourning that was called twice this week by the MQM and once by the ANP, both coalition partners of the PPP-led government.
“There should an end to the trend of observing day of mourning or black day. It provides criminals an opportunity to manipulate the situation to their own advantage,” he said.
