KARACHI: A complete shutdown of the city was observed on Saturday due to a call for observing a ‘day of mourning’ across Sindh by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) against extra-judicial killings of its party members, DawnNews reported.
On MQM’s appeal to observe a day of mourning in the province, traders closed down their businesses, commercial centres and shops in Karachi.
Due to absence of public transport on roads, it became quite difficult for people to reach their destinations.
The Private School Management Association on Friday had issued its notification for schools to remain shut down.
Moreover, University of Karachi postponed all the exams scheduled for today and new dates for holding exams would be announced later, according to the UoK spokesman.
The CNG stations could not open even today after a closure of 24hours.
Similarly, in Sindh’s second largest city Hyderabad, shops, commercial centres and businesses were also closed down, while most activity remained slowed down in other parts of Sindh due to the strike.
On Friday, MQM senior party leader Haider Abbas Rizvi claimed due to the ongoing targeted operation of police and Rangers in Karachi being carried out against the party, more than 40 MQM workers have disappeared since inception of the operation in November.
Haider Abbas Rizvi had demanded the authorities to form a judicial commission to look into the alleged extrajudicial killings of his party activists.
Activity to continue after 2pm
MQM Rabita committee appealed today to transporters and traders to open up their businesses at 2pm across the province.
In the appeal given by the committee it was said to all the trade unions, transport unions, petrol pumps and CNG associations, private schools management and other social organisations across Sindh to continue with their daily businesses.