Fear and panic gripped Karachi on Tuesday soon after the private TV channels started flashing the news of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain's arrest in London, as unknown miscreant torched at least nine vehicles in different areas of the city.
Following the news, all commercial and social activities were suspended, as educational institutions, markets, offices, shops, petrol pumps, CNG stations, and others were closed. Public transport also went off the road and the panic-stricken people faced hardships in reaching their destinations.
At least nine vehicles, including two buses, were set on fire in different parts of the city, rescue sources said. A mini bus was set on fire near Colony Gate on Shara-e-Faisal in Karachi. Another bus was torched in Korangi area while two vehicles were torched in Gulberg and a rickshaw was set on fire in North Nazimabad.
Law enforcement agencies arrested several suspects for involvement in violent protests and arson from different areas of the city. Meanwhile, scheduled papers of graduation and master in Federal Urdu University and Karachi University were postponed for indefinite period. People in different parts of city were seen standing in long queues outside utility stores and shops for purchasing food stuff and vegetables. Meanwhile, MQM activists staged sit-ins against the arrest of Altaf Hussain at Numaish and Liaqatabad's Alkaram Square.