By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan remained in the grip of violence and turmoil for the second day Saturday after the murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto with protestors going on the rampage, burning vehicles, petrol pumps banks, eateries, government buildings and trains.
Reports said that more than 800 vehicles including trains, at least seven petrol pumps, 13 bank branches, six outlets of international fast food chains, several buildings and election offices, particularly belonging to the former ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) that is backed by the military and President Pervez Musharraf, had been set on fire.
At least 38 people have been killed and 53 injured in the rioting following the assassination of Bhutto Thursday evening.
Pakistan Railways suffered the maximum loss as protestors set on fire 16 railway stations, all in Sind, eight trains and six engines besides damaging railway tracks at different places.
The Railways announced that it may take several days to repair the tracks and traffic may remain suspended for at least 20 days.
Meanwhile, all markets and shops, even street kiosks, remained closed throughout the country due to which people faced lot of problems. Petrol pumps and gas stations also remained closed forcing many people to stay at home.
In Karachi, where the army has taken control of the city, the situation was returning to normal in many areas. But in areas with a concentration of PPP followers, the situation was still tense and two more petrol pumps were set on fire.
Islamabad, which usually ignores strike calls, remained completely shut with all shops closed and petrol pumps made inaccessible by placing hurdles. On complaints of some citizens, the authorities tried to get some gas stations opened, but the owners refused.
Patients were among the worst sufferers as paramedic staff could not reach hospitals and all medical stores were closed. Suppliers said that all businesses were shut, right from the manufacturers to retail sellers.
Meanwhile, miscreants continued looting shops, banks and government offices in different cities especially Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana and some other cities of Sind.
After chairing an emergency cabinet meeting, President Pervez Musharraf said that miscreants and anti-social elements could not be allowed to damage lives and property of the common man in the guise of protest.
Musharraf said that elements exploiting the situation by looting and plundering must be dealt with firmly and all measures taken to ensure safety and security of the people.
He particularly mentioned the problems being faced by people with chemists, bakeries, grocery stores and petrol and CNG pumps closed due to the fear of the hooligans and looters.
He directed the law enforcement agencies to ensure early return to normalcy.