Roads were deserted and majority of shops in different localities were closed in Karachi on Wednesday with the start of World Cup semi-final at Mohali India between India and Pakistan. People preferred to go home and watch the match on TV. There was thin public transport on road. However, groups of youngsters were seen roaming on motorcycles wearing green Pakistan cricket team dress and holding Pak flag chanting slogans in favour of Pak cricket team.
The India vs Pakistan cricket World Cup semi-final fever has forced government to announced half-day off in the country to allow people to go home and watch the match on TV. Industrialists said that a very large number of employees apply for day leave on different pretext obviously just to stay at home to watch the semi final.
They said their cell phones have been ringing continuously for the past few days trying to get approval of leave. Though a few employees asked for leave, it hardly makes a difference but this time the number of leave seekers was very high, they pointed out.