KARACHI: After a shutter down strike appeal by former chairman of Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman on Sunday, the police and Rangers were put on high alert in sensitive areas of the city on Monday.
The transport in a major part of the city remained off roads till the mid-day as shops in Saddar, Tower area, Boulden Market kept shutters down.
The source in police said that the they have been told to allow protesters to observe a peaceful strike. The police would respond accordingly if anyone tried to create a law-and-order situation in any part of Karachi.
Late last night, protests broke out in Liaquatabad, Mauripur Road. Heavy contingents of police and Rangers took positions all over the city. By night, a big crowd had gathered outside Darul Uloom-e-Amjadia in Nursery. Similar reports emerged from Orangi.
The protesters blocked the Mauripur Road leading to the port, said a traffic police constable.
“Almost all big malls and markets will remain closed today on the appeal of the ulema,” said the All City Traders Union Association and All Karachi Footwear Merchant Association.
Muhammad Hussain, the general secretary of the Transporters and Goods Association, also claimed that their members would also support Ulema’s strike call.
“This is a difficult announcement in the current business and commercial situation, but we cannot prioritise anything over honour,” said Hammad Poonawala, the president of the All City Traders Union and all its associations.
A trader at Boulden Market said, “we have invested millions of rupee in garments businesses owing the upcoming Eid festival, but it seems that strikes, protests and corona policies of the governments would bring the traders on road.”
Already the people are not coming in markets because of reduced purchase power, while the government announcement to close market at 6pm will also destroy our businesses, he added.
