Strike in Karachi over JI's call

Published September 19, 2012

Violence in Karachi has left 10 people dead. -File Photo

KARACHI: Protestors burnt roadside stalls, tyres and blocked roads in various areas of Karachi on Wednesday, after a strike call was given by the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) against the killing of one of its leaders and the release of an anti-Islam film, DawnNews reported.

Protestors burnt tyres and blocked roads in Karachi's Patel Para, New Karachi, Nazimabad, Orangi Town and Lyari areas.

Vehicles were pelted by stones and roads were blocked after protestors burnt tyres in Karachi’s Shershah area.

Traffic was also suspended on Shahrah-i-Faisal near Stargate after protestors burnt tyres.

A truck was also set alight in Quaidabad area of the city.

Heavy firing was reported from Karachi’s  Lee Market and its adjoining areas.

Earlier on Tuesday, JI chief Syed Munawwar Hasan had given a call to observe a protest day throughout the country — and a shutterdown strike and a peaceful wheel jam in Karachi — on Wednesday against the murder of JI leader and former nazim of Liaquatabad Town Dr Pervez Mehmood and over the release of an anti-Islam film.

The strike was announced by Karachi JI chief Muhammad Hussain Mehanti at an emergency press conference on Tuesday night at the Karachi Press Club.

Mehanti said the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Sunni Tehreek, Sindh United Party, Awami Tehreek and other religious and nationalists parties, besides traders representatives, backed the call.

According to the JI, the shutter-down and wheel-jam strike was also in protest against activities of extortionists in the city.

The JI's Karachi chief was placed under house arrest on Wednesday.

Police had arrested dozens of JI activists during a crackdown and conducted raids on the residences of JI leaders after the party appealed for the strike.

Moreover, violence in Karachi continued unabated as 10 people lost their lives, including three members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

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