Karachi numb with grief after horrific bomb blasts

By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS

Karachi : The port city of Karachi, which wore a festive look a day before, was deserted Friday with thin traffic on the roads and residents mourning the death of over 165 people following bomb attacks on former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s welcome rally.


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The hub of political and economic activity, Karachi was Thursday decorated with green, red and black flags of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to welcome its chief. Huge billboards, banners, pamphlets and graffiti with slogans hailing Bhutto could be seen all around.

PPP supporters were dancing to the beat of drums and music to celebrate the end of their leader’s eight years of exile.

“I am so happy… more happier than when I got a job,” said young Usman who was dancing to a welcome song.

Special stalls selling PPP flags, Bhutto’s posters and badges had been set up at various places in the city. Even those opposing PPP were enjoying the festivity.

“It’s a great occasion. I want both my sons to know what democracy is and how democratic leaders are treated, but I’ve never voted for PPP and would never vote for her,” Fazal, a Karachi resident, said a day before Bhutto’s return to the country.

Thousands of people had also come to Karachi from far away places to show their solidarity with Bhutto. “It’s more than Eid for us,” said Umer Khan who had travelled for almost 1,500 km to reach Karachi from Nowshera in north Pakistan.

But the midnight blasts that killed at least 165 people and injured about 500 turned the jubilation into grief. On Friday, markets, schools and offices remained closed. People preferred to see the reactions to the blasts on their television screens and the usually bustling city wore a deserted look.

“The city is sad, people are mourning what happened in the night…it’s a huge loss,” said a woman who was out for groceries but couldn’t find any shop open.

Many people cursed the administration for poor arrangements. “Why did she (Bhutto) have to give a call for her reception… who is responsible for the loss of these innocent lives?” asked an angry woman.

Educational institutions remained closed and the exams scheduled for Friday were postponed.

Bhutto held a PPP meeting to discuss the loss of lives of her supporters and to draw up future plans. The government has asked her to remain inside her house until adequate security arrangements can be made for her.

President Pervez Musharraf, while condemning the incident, has ordered an inquiry into it.

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