Karachi violence, over 90 dead: Live updates
KARACHI: More than 90 people have been killed during the last four days in an ongoing wave of violence that has hit Karachi and paralysed life in the port city.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is observing a day of mourning today (Friday).
The Sindh government has given shoot-at-sight orders to law enforcers.
1:00pm
MQM has cancelled the protest rally which was to be taken out from Karachi Press Club to the Chief Minister House.
12:20pm
Express 24/7 correspondent, Shaheryar Mirza reports fighting has spread to different parts of the city, including Kharadar, Banaras, Kati Pahari, SITE, Baldia Town and Korangi.
Miscreants are reportedly firing from the rooftops and windows of houses in different areas.
“What good is a day of mourning? We haven’t had any food, water or petrol in the last three days,” a resident of Qasba Colony said in response to the MQM call for a day of mourning.
There are no reports of Rangers or Police conducting raids. Police is yet to enter some neighbourhoods.
Twitter buzz:
Razarumi Shame on the political parties, their death squads and gangs in #Karachi which are killing poor innocent citizens of this wretched country
ammaryasir Situation in Karachi is all time worse in recent times but running tickers like: Khi main khoon ki holi etc is only sensationalizing news.
kashaziz Why Dr. Ishrat ul Ibad left Karachi for Dubai as soon as he resigned as Governor Sindh?
bilalshaw Dont you think that the citizens of Karachi must remove the flags of different political parties from the roof..
farrukhahmed no rain, no business, no traffic, no light! Karachi
BinaShah Oh, Karachi, my love.
jahanarawattoo Karachi has become Titanic, but whoever doing this, its really not worth it over so many dead bodies
12:00pm
Three people have been killed near Hassan Square and Sabzi Mandi.
The Embassy of the United States in Pakistan has expressed concern over the escalating violence in Karachi
A statement released by US ambassador, Cameron Munter, called on all parties to refrain from further violence and work towards a peaceful resolution.
Twitter buzz:
tasnimfatima We are sick of being shut down every now and then !
khan_maaz Only if the political parties understand the cost of a strike… Karachi
Pin drop silence in a commercial area Karachi
mirza9 Death toll is increasing by the half hour, impossible to keep up. going to stop updating the death toll. crossed 85 now Karachi
Aadill If there is no writ of the government, and it is the case, Army should be called up to restore the order in Karachi.
11:35am
The Karachi transporters union, traders association and several petrol pump owners have announced a strike to protest the ongoing violence.
More than 90 percent of the petrol pumps in the city have shut down, Express 24/7 reports.
Major markets are also shut down in the city.
Transporters are complaining the government is not providing them enough security.
Twitter buzz:
Saba_Imtiaz Abdul Sattar Edhi appeals for calm as the city goes up in flames. Again. Dozens of their ambulances have been fired on.
AndieDeArment sad for Karachi today but always amazed by the resilience of the city & its people
RiazToori Prez Asif Ali #Zardari further directed all concerned 2 deal sternly with criminal elements regardless of political affiliations in Karachi
baylinveil Ethnic violence in Karachi, offices closed, long weekend. This feels like, well, all of my childhood except I’m not excited about it anymore
Hafsa_Khawaja To say our hearts bleed for Karachi, would be an understatement. Whats the solution to its situation other than massive deweaponization?
NadeemfParacha Karachi quiet. But more birds in the sky than usual. Chalo, something good coming from a strike that’s not a strike is a strike.
shyyawn Any updates on the Karachi situation. Do we go to offices normally or should we wait and see? What’s the scene out there?
Saba_Imtiaz Very little traffic on the roads. Cabbie says he was stopped by some men on Shahrah-e-Faisal and told not go further.
11:20am
Heavy contingents of police have been deployed in Baldia Town, Ghousia Mohalla and Muslim Mujahid Colony.
All shops and markets in Hyderabad and interior Sindh have been shut down.
Security forces are set to launch a crackdown against miscreants but no arrests have been made so far.
11:16am
Eleven people have been killed overnight.
One person was killed in North Karachi and a body was found from Soldier market.
Two people were killed in Orangi Town, one person was shot dead in Joriya Bazaar, two in Kharadar, two in Qasba Colony, one near Kati Pahari and two people, including a 6-year old boy, were killed in New Karachi and Baldia Town.
Karachi violence, over 90 dead: Live updates – The Express Tribune