The condition of the city started limping towards normalcy after observing a complete shutdown of two days over arrest of Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain in London. The commercial and trade centres of the city started opening along with shops and petrol pumps.
Educational institutions would also resume their academic activities after the city’s brief shutdown. Life in the metropolis wore a deserted look and commercial activities were also at a standstill due to the MQM chief’s detention. MQM workers in Karachi and other cities of Pakistan had also staged protests against the arrest. A large number of MQM workers, members of the party’s Rabita Committee and members of Sindh and National Assemblies had yesterday participated in the sit-in protest at Karachi’s Numaish Chowrangi.
MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar had told the media that the party was carrying out peaceful protests across the country not only to show solidarity with Mr Hussain but to ensure that the Pakistan government asked the British government that the MQM chief be provided best medical facilities and complete protection to his life. “We will continue our peaceful sit-ins until these demands of millions of followers of Altaf bhai are met.” The MQM chief was arrested by the British police on June 3, on suspicion of money-laundering. He was arrested in northwest London where he has been living in self-imposed exile since 1992. Hussain had urged his followers and party workers last night to remain peaceful and not to take the law into their own hands.
