Karachi too jolted by violence

The Sindh Rangers took over Karachi's control after daylong violence that left at least 25 people injured in clashes with police on Saturday. Sit-in protesters occupied over 50 different spots to impose a lockdown on the city with clashes with police throughout the day. The city's blockade widely suspended trade, business, commercial and academic activities. Mobs took over the streets and roundabouts to challenge the state's writ.
DG, Rangers, Maj. Gen. Muhammad Saeed asked the personnel to take over the city's streets and roads to maintain the order. In a statement issued to media, DG Rangers affirmed to show zero-tolerance to vandalism in the metropolis. In clashes, one police officer, two journalists of a private TV channel and several protestors were injured, as Islamabad violence spilled into Karachi. Covered by thick tear gas smoke emissions, Shahrae Faisal presented a picture of a battleground between police and protestors.
Traders also slammed the federal government for failing to work out an amicable solution to the weeks long sit-in at Fakirabad on the most sensitive issue. Protesters established a mob's rule across the metropolis, as police and other law enforcers allow them to erect road blockades to paralyze vehicular traffic resulting in suspension of trade activities especially in markets around M.A. Jinnah Road.
On Shahrae Faisal, for example, protestors clashed with the law enforcers as gunshots and tear gas were fired to disperse vandals. However, vehicular traffic remained disturbed as protestors managed to keep roads and streets closed in different areas.
"Around 90 percent markets remained closed after the protests erupted in parts of the city in the wake of a crackdown in Islamabad. Traders faced at least Rs 4 billion losses for one day closure," Chairman, All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, Atiq Mir told Business Recorder, saying that"the federal government failed to seek a peaceful end to the deadlock".
The most disturbed parts of metropolis included: M.A. Road, I.I Chundrigar Road, Business Recorder Road, Zoological Garden Road, Old City Areas, PIB Colony, parts of Shahrae Faisal Shahrae (Faisal Nursery, Natha Khan Bridge, Stargate Airport, Gora Qabristan - FTC), Suhrab Goth, Baldia Town, parts of Landhi, Liaquatabad, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Hasan Square, Tariq Road, Teen Talwar -Clifton, Gulistan-e-Johar, Shahershah and Merewether Tower.
In the morning hours, the protestors thronged the city's roads causing severe of Saturday panic and disturbances. A majority of office-goers, students, traders and daily wage workers left their workplaces by midday in order to reach home safely.
"The administration permitted the protestors to take over roads and streets but stopped them from resorting to violence," Atiq Mir claimed, saying that the issue is sensitive which needs a judicious negotiation to settle. The federal government's move to crackdown on the protesters widely seen as counterproductive, he added.