KARACHI: A number of religious parties are observing a complete strike across Pakistan on Monday (today) to protest the police action against a banned outfit in Lahore.
In Karachi, all educational institutes remain closed while public transports has been stopped on the roads. Several offices are expected to be closed or see lower attendances.
The city’s main business centers remained closed until noon including Jodia Bazaar, Bolton Market, Empress Market, Regal Chowk, Electronics Market, Mobile Market, Zebbuniasa Market, Kharadar, Lyari, Lea Market, Timber Market, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad Hyderi Market, New Karachi Kali Market, Landhi, Korangi, Baldia Town, Orangi Town, Banaras Chowk Market, Malir Market, and Quaidabad.
The city’s small and large business centers are closed while petrol pumps were also closed. Motorists faced immense difficulties during their commute to their offices.
Police and Rangers has conducted an operation at Yateem Khana Chowk in Lahore to disperse the occupants of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), leaving several activists dead and numerous other injured.
Addressing a press conference at Jamia Amjadia in Karachi, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman announced a nationwide shutter down strike against the Lahore incident.
The leaders of other mainstream religious parties also announced support for the demands made by Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman and call for a complete strike in the country.
Meanwhile, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also supported Mufti Muneeb’s call for shutter down strike against Lahore incident. Talking to the media in Islamabad, Maulana Fazl condemned the Lahore incident and said he stands by Mufti Muneeb on this matter.
He condemned the violence in Lahore and said it could not be tolerated. He said he was ready to sacrifice anything to uphold the honour of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He questioned why expulsion of the French ambassador was being made an issue.
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq announced that his party fully supported the call for a nationwide strike. He also supported the demand for expulsion of the French ambassador.
He said that ban on any political party was not justified. He said the government should stop the aggression and initiate talks with the protesting religious group.
Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the operation against the proscribed religious party was conducted after the miscreants attacked police officers in Lahore.
Following the chaos created by TLP activists in Lahore, Fawad Chaudhry said, “The state did not even yield to armed terrorist group Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TLP). They kidnapped our Police and Rangers personnel following which we led an operation against them.”
The Punjab Police said several activists attacked the Nawankot Police Station in Lahore where several police officers and rangers were trapped.
They also abducted 12 officers including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP). The miscreants were armed and attacked police personnel with petrol bombs.
