Karachi burns & bleeds: ANP observes mourning, transport out

Two ANP workers have been killed by unknown miscreants in Karachi.Once again, the law and order situation has become tense after the incident. Restlessness and agitation have gripped the city as angry protesters started threwing stones on vehicles in Lasbela and Gurumander and torched six vehicles in different localities.

Heavy contingents of police and Rangers have been deployed in sensitive areas. Rangers have been given full authority for maintenance of law and order in the city but it also could not control the situation. Gunmen and arsonists have been on the rampage in Karachi for a couple of days now. Yesterday, at least eight people were killed and dozens of vehicles set alight. The ANP has announced a day of mourning on Thursday. On the other hand, the organisation of private schools has decided that all schools in Karachi would remain shut. Similarly, transport would also stay off the roads. The unrest was sparked by the murder of a party worker and his brother late Monday, reviving fears that the city of 18 million could return to horrifying levels of violence that left more than 1,700 people dead last year. The MQM, which represents the Urdu-speaking majority and sits in President Asif Ali Zardari s governing coalition, denied any responsibility. ANP, which has similar portfolio, also denies involvement in violence.