All the major political and religious parties, except the ruling PPP and PML(F), either gave an open or tacit support to the strike call. The Karachi Transport Ittehad, All Pakistan Oil Tankers Association, traders associations, and other transport and business organizations also supported the strike call.

In Karachi, all major markets, business and commercial centers in the city remained closed. Transport was also scanty.

Unlike strikes called by political parties, the strike on Friday remained peaceful, and no incident of firing or burning of vehicles was reported till the filing of this report.

Contingents of police and rangers were deployed across the city to cope with any eventuality. Police personnel using mobile vans and motorbikes kept on patrolling different areas whole the day.

A visit to the different areas showed that all main markets and commercial centres including Saddar, Bohri Bazaar, Electronics Market, Zaibunnisa Street, Regal Chowk, Zainab Market, Tariq Road, Hyderi, KDA Market (Gulshan-i-Iqbal ) remained closed. Situation was same in Liaquatabad, North Nazimabad , Federal B Area, New Karachi, Landhi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulisntan-e-Jauhar where most of bazaars, markets and shops remained closed.

A majority of petrol pumps remained closed in respective areas. Most of the offices and industrial units in the city also remained closed

All the state-owned universities, colleges and the Karachi Intermediate Board had already postponed the exams, which were scheduled for Friday.

Trading at the Fruit and Vegetable Market (New Sabzi Mandi) was also affected due to unavailability of transport. The strike also affected port activity due to the non-availability of transport vehicles in adequate number.

Reports trickling from Hyderabad, suggested that a complete strike was observed in the city as all the bazaars , markets and commercial centers remained closed in line with an earlier announcement made by local traders and businessmen..

Similar reports were received from Sukkur, Khairpur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Shikarpur, Sanghar, Tando Adam, Tando Allahyar, Nawabshah, Ghotki and other parts of the province. Business and trade activities in respective districts remained closed, besides thin transport on the roads.

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia