Karachi halts on Imran’s strike call

Karachi, December 12

Pakistan’s largest city and business hub was paralysed today on a strike call given by Imran Khan’s party as part of its countrywide protests against the Nawaz Sharif government for allegedly rigging last year’s polls. Markets, shops and petrol pumps remained shut in many parts of the city since early morning with sparse public and private transport on the roads.

The metropolis wore a deserted look as Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaaf (PTI) leaders and supporters held protest sit-ins at around 38 locations in the city blocking main roads. At many places that included the upscale areas of Clifton and Defence, the sit-ins were dominated by female workers and supporters of the party.

The strike was enforced by the PTI as part of its ongoing protest against alleged rigging in the general elections by Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz). Imran, who reached here was given a rousing welcome by partymen. He was flanked by senior leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Sheikh Rasheed. Imran thanked the people of Karachi for supporting his strike call. — PTI