KARACHI: Sticking to ‘Plan C’, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) says it has been successful in motivating some associations to voluntarily join its appeal for a citywide shutdown in Karachi today (Friday). The planned closure is a continuation of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s push to pressure the government into carrying out an inquiry into alleged rigging in the May 2013 general election. In a tweet, Arif Alvi said, “Karachi shutdown starts at 6 AM on December 12. Karachi will make sure it happens”. Dr Arif Alvi said that the essential components of the city’s daily operations, such as transporters and traders, were supporting the party in its bid to hold sit-ins and protests at various points of the city. “It will be a total shutdown. Transporters and traders have responded favourably,” Alvi said. “Peoples’ sentiments are in our favour because Karachi is looking for change.” When asked if the party has entered into talks with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to support Friday’s strike, Alvi said, “We have not approached them but we welcome everyone’s support.” PTI Sindh Chapter President Nadir Leghari said the strike would be peaceful. “The Karachi community will come out and support PTI; there will be no armed goons or thugs and we are not forcing anyone to join. People will chip in if they want change.” When asked about the financial loss incurred during strike calls in Karachi, Leghari said, “As a party we have much bigger objective, that is to change the destiny of Pakistan.” The PTI has so far identified the National Highway, Sohrab Goth, Native Jetty Bridge, Shershah, Numaish Chowrangi, Shahra-e-Faisal, Kala Pul Road, Hasan Square, Star Gate and Five Star Chowrangi as prime protesting spots. According to reports, roads would be blocked for traffic at more than 15 places, including the Super Highway, National Highway and Hub River Road in the metropolitan city. The PTI would also stage protest demonstrations at different locations on the city’s main artery Shahra-e- Faisal, Hassan Square, Numaish Chowrangi, Gurumandir and Native Jetty Bridge. The protesting opposition party would also protest in Maripur and Sultanabad areas of the mega city, source added. Meanwhile, transporters in Pakistan’s business hub have not yet decided whether to keep their vehicles off roads over the PTI’s call for protest. Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra distanced himself from the PTI’s strike call. “We are not linked to any political party,” Vohra said. “Any activity hurtful to the economy is not supported by us. We appeal to the government to solve political issues so that the restlessness in the country comes to an end.” Irshad Bukhari of the Karachi Transport Ittehad said the PTI had not contacted his union. “We will decide when we see the situation,” he said. “On MQM strike calls, party members approach us on behalf of Altaf Bhai to observe a strike. But no such request has come from the PTI.” Haji Dil Khan Niazi, who chairs the All Pakistan Goods Transporters’ Welfare Association, however, said that for the protection and safety of their vehicles, operations would be halted today. “We are not linked to any political party but in case of arson or stone pelting, we will not bring our buses on the roads,” said Niazi. Tajir Ittehad Chairman Atiq Mir said his organisation is apolitical and does not support the strike call. “This call has been made amid a political crisis; if even one party is backed then it creates complications,” he said. Reiterating PPP leader Manzoor Wassan’s earlier statement that the ruling party in Sindh would not allow Karachi to be shut down, a spokesperson from Bilawal House said Pakistan’s economic situation could not afford another strike. “We do not believe in shutdown politics because they paralyse economy and the loss is borne by the common man. Such threats have taken us back in terms of development.”
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 03:32:27 +0000