Fresh tensions gripped Pakistan's southern Sindh province, the stronghold of slain Benazir Bhutto, even as life across the country returned to normalcy following violent protests against her killing that left nearly 50 dead and scores injured.
Rumours about the death of top Muttahida Quami Movement leader Farooq Sattar in a bomb blast created widespread tension in the port city of Karachi, the capital of Sindh.
The rumours were swiftly dismissed by MQM leaders and Mayor Mustafa Kamal as baseless. "The rumours are being spread to disrupt peace in the city. People should not heed such rumours," said Kamal.
Despite the prompt action by the authorities, there were reports of protests from parts of Karachi, which is a stronghold of the MQM.
Fear also gripped the busy M A Jinnah Road in Karachi when unidentified gunmen opened fire in the area at noon. Witnesses said the gunmen, who were in a car, fired shots near the Jamia Cloth Market, prompting closure of most shops in the area.
Security forces have launched a hunt for the gunmen. The tensions came just as Karachi was limping back to normalcy after four days of violence and heightened tension.
A group of persons also opened fire in Hyderabad city in Sindh on Monday morning and forced shops to shut down. The incident occurred despite army troops and paramilitary Pakistan Rangers personnel being deployed in the city, TV channels reported.
"Life in Sindh started limping back to normalcy on Sunday evening and efforts are being made to transport food items to the interior areas. Petrol pumps have also been opened today," Sindh's caretaker Home Minister Akhtar Zamin said.
Mayor Kamal said the Karachi administration would try to compensate people whose property was damaged in the protests.
The violent protests also damaged property worth billions of rupees. According to reports, some 900 cars and motorcycles and 175 bank branches were burnt or damaged across Sindh, while nearly 40 people lost their lives.
Educational institutions in Sindh and the rest of the country remained closed and attendance in offices and business establishments in the port city was thin.
In most other cities across Pakistan, Monday was the first day of almost complete normalcy as markets reopened and businesses, government offices and banks began functioning after a gap of three days.
There were reports, however, of shortages of food and fuel from several places. Though neighbourhood grocery stores had opened over the weekend, people had complained of shortages of items like fresh vegetables and milk.
There were also some reports of fuel shortages as most petrol and CNG pumps had remained closed since the assassination of Bhutto in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
In Islamabad, the streets were busy with traffic on Monday as petrol stations resumed supplies of much needed fuel and shops reopened for business.
In nearby Rawalpindi, where Bhutto was assassinated, the situation was peaceful.
© 2024 Rediff.com -