Karachi limps back to normalcy

Karachi is slowly limping back to normalcy, three days after violent clashes between the supporters of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry that left 48 persons dead and over 150 injured.

Karachi, May 15 : Karachi is slowly limping back to normalcy, three days after violent clashes between the supporters of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry that left 48 persons dead and over 150 injured.

In the violence that began late on Friday night about 100 vehicles were torched.

Few vehicles started plying on roads since Monday evening and shops opened in several areas, reported The News.

A few petrol pumps also opened in the city. People in large numbers made long queues at the petrol pumps, which were closed for the three consecutive days since Friday evening.

Police and security personnel are patrolling the sensitive areas.

Trade in the city is also slowly returning to normalcy. Juria Bazaar, which does business worth in billions of rupees, was shut during the tense days.

The business community had to bear losses worth billions of rupees during the last two days, Karachi Wholesalers Association's Chairman Zulfiquar Malik told Geo News.

Several export orders were cancelled and some of the consignments could not be dispatched. Ferry of goods from Karachi to the upcountry was also stranded.

Trading during the morning hours was sluggish, Malik said� adding that it was picking up slowly.

Opposition parties observed shutdown in several cities across the country, and lawyers boycotted their work on Monday in protest against Saturday's violence in Karachi.

ANI