KARACHI: Life returns to normality

Published April 16, 2006

KARACHI, April 15: Life in Karachi started returning to normality amid tension in some areas after a four-day lull in business and commercial activities in the aftermath of the Nishtar Park tragedy on Tuesday.

Shops and markets in major commercial hubs were opened and public transport started plying roads. Petrol stations, shopping centres and other small and big shops across the city remained open except in some areas where tension prevailed.

People thronged grocery shops in their respective localities where unusual crowd was witnessed as grocery shops were opened after a pause of four days.

A heavy rush on pharmacies was also seen as drug stores also remained closed since the tragedy took place.

Educational institutions which remained closed for three days resumed curricular activity. However, schools which observe holidays on Saturdays and Sundays, remained closed.

Some areas are still in the grip of tension. Unknown persons resorted to aerial firing in the morning in Ranchor Lines and set a bus on fire. In another incident on M. A. Jinnah Road a vehicle was set ablaze.

Shops and markets in the troubled localities, including Ranchhore Lines, Bhimpura, Lighthouse, etc., remained closed.

Heavy contingents of police and Rangers were deployed in the city to maintain law and order. The law-enforcement personnel in their mobile vans kept on patrolling in sensitive areas to keep any eye on unscrupulous elements.

Forty-seven people were killed and 103 injured in a powerful bomb blast at the Eid Miladun Nabi gathering at Nishtar Park last Tuesday on April 11. Police believed it was a suicide attack and said an unidentified head with bloodstains was found from the spot, who could have been of the suicide bomber.

However, the police are yet to establish his identity.

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