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Karachi tense as citizens brace for strike By Imran Ayub
Angry protestors block MA Jinnah road to demonstrate against a firing incident at Ali Raza Mosque on Sunday. The situation in Karachi has been tense since Saturday and citizens are anxious of what Monday holds in store. - APP photo Tenure of local governments likely to be extended The battle for hearts and minds KARACHI: A state of fear and uncertainty gripped the city on Sunday evening, as citizens of Karachi, who have suffered two days of strikes in two weeks, braced themselves for yet another strike call for Monday. This strike has been called by the Arisar faction of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) against the expected influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Malakand division to Sindh. Another faction of the JSQM had earlier called a strike on May 23 on the same issue. Though traffic is usually thin on Sundays, almost all public transport and other vehicles remained off the roads by the evening, after a few incidents of arson and firing were reported in different parts of the city. The majority of fuel stations were closed in the second half of the day, and the few which remained open were seen catering to long queues of vehicles. Announcements from different trade bodies and educational institutions regarding the suspension of activities on Monday served to influence citizens’ opinions regarding the severity of the strike. The University of Karachi announced the postponement of all examinations of degree classes, which was followed by a decision from the Board of Secondary Education of Karachi to adopt the same line over the scheduled practical examinations. The transporters, who were already raising a hue and cry over losses incurred by them during recent violent incidents, have decided not to operate their buses on Monday even if the government agrees to provide them with protection and security. ‘We have lost nearly 50 vehicles in two weeks,’ said a member of the executive body of the Karachi Transport Ittehad, which represents the private sector’s stakeholders in public transport. ‘We have nothing to do with tomorrow’s (Monday’s) strike, and neither do we support the issue of that strike. But we have decided to stay away from regular business, as it is becoming risky with each passing day.’ He went on to say that the transporters could extend their protest and announce an indefinite strike if they failed to get a positive response from the government for compensation of losses. Pillion-riding ban Amid such warnings from transporters, the government decided to continue to enforce its ban on pillion-riding, which is likely to add to people’s suffering. In a statement issued by the provincial home department, the ban was extended in Karachi and Hyderabad. The ban on pillion-riding has been criticised by citizens, particularly members of the working class, as they say it makes it difficult for them to travel around the city.’ The home department, government of Sindh has under sub-section of Section 144 CrPC prohibited pillion-riding on motorcycle/scooter with effect from May 24, 2009 till further orders,’ said the brief statement. Transporters and traders believe it was the support of the MQM, a major partner in the coalition government, coupled with the scattered incidents of violence which actually led to the shut-down on May 23, and the same combination could yield similar results on Monday. Such observations were reinforced by a recent MQM statement, which said: ‘We have been very loud and clear on the issue of IDPs and suggest that these people should be settled in the NWFP or Punjab, but it has been observed that Sindh is being stormed. We completely support the JSQM on such issue.’ The statement quoted Anis Advocate, a London-based member of the MQM’s coordination committee. Dawn,Monday 25 May,2005 |
