KARACHI: The protest sit-in organised by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement at the Numaish traffic intersection against the ‘arrest’ of party chief Altaf Hussain in London entered its third day on Thursday, as a tense calm prevailed in the city that was limping back to normality.

The Numaish traffic intersection and M.A. Jinnah Road was closed for vehicular traffic from Gurumandir to the Sea Breeze Plaza traffic intersection for security purposes though alternative traffic arrangements had been announced for motorists.

The protesters, including women and children, stayed on M.A. Jinnah Road to show solidarity with Mr Hussain who is still in a London hospital.

While tents had been put up on the main road to provide shelter to protesters from the scorching sun, the arrangement could not save many who suffered heatstroke in the harsh weather conditions.

The protest participants carried placards inscribed with demands such as “Stop targeting MQM and Altaf Hussain in the UK”; “Is coin collection money laundering”; “The British government should take notice of illegal raid on Altaf Hussain’s residence”; etc.

As on Wednesday, leaders of political, religious and social organisations, traders, businessmen and transporters arrived at the venue to express solidarity with the protesting MQM workers.

PPP leader and former interior minister Senator Rehman Malik also visited the protest sit-in.

Speaking to the protesters, he said that a representative of the federal government should have been present in London soon after the ‘arrest’ of Mr Hussain. He said that Mr Hussain was ‘unwell’ and he should be exempted from investigation in view of his condition. “Everyone wants to know why Altaf Hussain is being meted out such a treatment. The UK government should keep in mind the sentiments of his millions of followers.”

Earlier, senior MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said the followers of Mr Hussain would continue their protest until they were given assurance that the life of their leader was safe, that he was given every possible medical facility and that he was not under any duress.

Speaking at a press briefing at the protest camp, he said Karachi had returned to normality after the MQM appeal to traders and transporters to resume their business.

He said: “This rejects a negative impression that Karachi is a violent place... Our peaceful protest with the support of people of all walks of life shows that Karachi is a city of peace-loving people.”

He said that MQM workers were more concerned about the health of their leader. The doctors had suggested more tests. The lawyers for Mr Hussain would decide when to proceed for bail, he added. The protest sit-in continued till late Thursday night.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2014