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Karachi tense as it braces for ‘day of mourning’
About half a dozen people were injured when unknown persons resorted to firing and created panic in the city.—Reuters/File Karachi : The city remained tense on Friday evening, as reports of firing came in from various parts of the city and markets shut down ahead of Saturday’s ‘day of mourning’ called by various parties in the wake of the killing of religious scholar Dr Sarfaraz Naeemi in a suicide bombing in Lahore. About half a dozen people were injured in different parts of the city when unknown persons on motorcycles resorted to firing, creating panic in the city. The acts of lawlessness were seen as a reaction to Friday’s suicide attack in Lahore. A vehicle was also set on fire by unknown persons on Jahangir Road on Friday night. Police said unidentified suspects on motorcycles intercepted the taxi and set it on fire. The fire was put out by the police and area people, but the vehicle was gutted. Two minibuses were also torched at Shahrae Pakistan in Gulberg Town by unknown persons. Two people, Osama and Nazeer, were injured near Nallah bus stop in New Karachi, and were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where sources said Osama’s condition was serious. Incidents of firing were also reported from New Karachi, UP Mor, Baldia Town, Shah Faisal Colony and Jacob Lines. The wounded were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed and Civil Hospital for treatment by rescue services. In New Town area, at Jamshed Road, protestors pelted stones at the passing vehicles and blocked the road. Several commercial areas and a sizeable number of petrol stations were shut down on Friday night. The commercial area of Sindhi Muslim Housing Society, which generally remains open till late in the night, was forced to close down by unknown persons early in the evening, area shopkeepers said.
‘State of high alert’ The provincial minister expressed his profound grief and sorrow over the death of religious scholar Dr Sarfaraz Naeemi, and the loss of other valuable lives. Dr Mirza declared a state of high alert across Sindh, saying public cooperation was essential for the maintenance of peace in the province. He advised citizens to remain alert and to immediately inform Madadgar-15 or their nearest police stations, SSP Offices or the CPLC if they witnessed any suspicious or illegal activity. He said citizens should be on the lookout for unidentified packets or parcels and abandoned cars or motorcycles, particularly at mosques, Imambargahs, temples, churches, shopping centres, bus stops, congested places, marketplaces and recreational places. Dr Mirza directed the IGP to further tighten security at places of worship and at all ‘sensitive’ locations. He called for the exchange of information between the police and intelligence organisations. He said that a strict vigil should be maintained on ‘the activities of mischievous elements’, and coordinated action should be taken against them. The home minister said steps would be taken for random checks, patrolling, picketing and setting up of watch pickets. He directed that parking around all religious locations should be restricted and push carts should be kept at a distance from them. DAWN: Saturday, 13 Jun, 2009 |
