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Another strike, another unofficial holiday
Karachi
Commercial and civic life remained
largely suspended in the city on Monday due to another call of
strike by nationalist political forces against possible resettlement
in Sindh of displaced persons from war-ravaged areas of Swat and
Malakand division.
Major markets and business areas in
the city especially in and around Saddar and MA Jinnah Road remained
shut due to call of strike given by the Aresar faction of the Jeay
Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM).
Public transport remained thin on
major roads affecting attendance at public, private offices,
educational institutions. Rickshaw and taxi drivers had a field day
demanding exorbitant fares from public stranded on roads.
The Board of Intermediate Education
Karachi (BIEK) and the University of Karachi (KU) had both already
announced the postponement of their examinations scheduled for
Monday.The city remained largely peaceful, however, and no major
incident of violence was reported.
Meanwhile, Alliance of Market
Associations in Karachi Chairman Atiq Mir claimed that 60 to 65 per
cent major markets in the city remained open despite the strike
call. Markets in Garden, Tariq Road, Arambagh, Clifton, Saddar, Old
city areas, were open but with only about 10 per cent of prospective
buyers turned up.
Mir said that an environment of panic
and harassment and the low frequency of public transport operations
had forced traders, shopkeepers, and prospective shoppers to stay
away from major markets in the city.
Dailt Times: Tuesday, May 26, 2009
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