KARACHI, April 2: An effective strike was observed in the metropolis on the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal’s call for a countrywide strike on Saturday in protest against price-hike, poverty and unemployment.

Although all of the resources of the government machinery were mobilized to foil the MMA’s move, people remained indoors and a large number of them preferred to watch the one-day international match between India and Pakistan on TV.

Some ministers, government officials, and politicians visited certain areas in the city and directed the law-enforcement agencies to ensure normal activity in commercial areas by convincing people to keep their shops opened. Some shopkeepers complained that they were subjected to threats and were told either to open their shops today or keep them closed forever.

Heavy contingents of police and Rangers were seen deployed across the city to cope with any eventuality. The police had beefed up security measures and increased patrolling in the city, especially in sensitive areas.

Police also continued raids to pick up activists as part of the pre-emptive measures to foil the strike.

City police chief Tariq Jamil said: “We have arrested some 18 people and booked them for violating section 144, or breach of peace. We have picked up many others and investigating.” However, he did not disclose the exact number of those under investigation and kept at different police lockups. “We will let most of them off by the night,” he added.

He said some disturbances had taken place in Sharafi Goth, Sohrab Goth, SITE Town, Pahelwan Goth and Lyari but police brought the situation under control. “No damage to property or major violence took place on Saturday,” he added.

The official figure of 18 people was an addition to a little more than 200 people picked up overnight as was claimed by the city police chief on Friday night.

He confirmed the arrest of Jamaat-i-Islami’s city chief Dr Mairajul Huda, as well as Mohammad Aslam Mujahid, Zafar Iqbal, Rashid Qureshi, Badar, Asghar and others leaders during a raid on the JI’s headquarters near Islamia College late on Friday night. He also confirmed the recovery of explosive material and illegal weapons from them.

A police official said that Jamshed Quarters police registered a case (FIR No. 94/05) against them for keeping 37 bottles of petrol, four TT pistols, explosive material and the pamphlets inscribed with slogans against the government.

A visit to different areas of the city showed that main markets and commercial centres were closed and the public transport was thin.

One of the main commercial centres, Saddar/Empress Market, wore a deserted look. The adjoining streets of Bohri Bazaar, otherwise crowded on working days, were seen without customers. Similarly, all the business and commercial concerns at Boulten Market, Express Market, Soldier Bazaar, Saddar, Zaibunnisa Street, Regal Chowk and Zainab Market remained shut throughout the day. Markets in other areas like Tariq Road, Hyderi, KDA area in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, etc., also remained closed. However, many shops and markets in Liaquatabad area were opened after shopkeepers were allegedly forced to do so.

Besides main markets, some shops in various localities were open but the impact of the strike was quite visible across the city.

The electronic market in Saddar was closed but the police, on the government’s directive, talked to the rival faction of the market’s association and succeeded in convincing some shopkeepers to open their shops for the purpose of preparing a video clip for TV transmission.

Although the city transporters had announced they would not support the strike, most of the transport operators kept their vehicles off the road since morning. People were faced with hardship due to the non-availability of buses and minibuses of the required route number. However, a very small number of buses, minibuses, and coaches was seen plying. The ratio of private vehicles plying on roads was relatively much lesser than usual.

Attendance in public and private organizations also remained thin. Most of bank branches were closed as their staff did not turn up.

Many private offices normally observing Saturday as non-working day did not open.

Trading at vegetable market (New Sabzi Mandi) did not take place due to the strike. A member of the fruit and vegetable market said that perishable items did not reach the market as truckers observed strike.