Since many of us are stuck indoors its difficult to gauge what is happening where. News reports do give a decent account but what better then to have the citizens of Karachi report themselves – so if you have a situation update on a specific area please post it here immediately, as people contribute I shall update this post for everyone benefit.

If anyone has pictures they will also be appreciated – post a link and we shall attend to it ASAP

UPDATES

• 26000 Ranger personnel issued Shoot to kill orders
• Caretaker PM announces the elections will be held on time I fear this news will only help worsen the situation
• Baluch Colony Bridge is deserted
• Tariq Road & Zamzama ares are reportedly no-go area and bears a deserted look

It is without doubt that an entire nation actually sheds a tear on the death of Benazir Bhutto, she was a hero to many, and rival to others, but the bottom line is that she was a brave leader of our nation and her struggles for democracy will not go unremembered. May Her Soul Rest in Peace.

In an attempt to provide the online community and opportunity to offer their condolences to the grieving family and literally thousands of Peoples Party supporters. I would like to initiate this condolence book for Benazir Bhutto. I will make it my own responsibility to present the entire list to the offices of the Pakistan Peoples Party to be attached with the main condolence book.

Please pay your respects here or preferably on my blog
(for one concise location)

My brother and I were near jail road when I heard about the death of BB and decided to jet home (which is near Millenium Mall). While going down Stadium Road towards Dalmia, we saw traffic being diverted towards Gulshan-e-Iqbal to the right.We took the route in to end up at University Road and decided to take right from the NIPA bridge, however the traffic was gridlocked and it seemed that the only logical route to take was to reverse slightly and head towards Gulshan Chowrangi.

After waiting for over 20 mins, we started seeing crowds of people frantically walking towards us and passing us, looking back over their shoulders. One of the people told us that cars were set ablaze just over the NIPA bridge, as if they were running from something. A few moments later we heard some screaming, smashing of glass and when we looked behind us, barely 4-5 cars away, a car was set ablaze right under NIPA bridge.

We left our car and were just about to walk towards safety when we saw the gridlock clear. We too started our car and moved it into safety and decided to walk home. Scores of people were also walking back and forth, in a state of panic, unable to get in touch with their loved ones.

We walked through Gulshan e Iqbal and after being turned back from lanes leading back to University Road, we managed to cross the street from the bridge opposite Sir Syed University and walked through Gulshan-e-Iqbal.

We walked through something that looked like a Kachi Abadi in the middle of Gulshan-e-Iqbal and kept walking until we reached the back end of Shantinagar, here we came across people carrying crates of drinks, lubricants, soap etc and it seemed apparent from their words that this stuff was looted in the violence. We knew we were close to Dalmia Road, and reached it soon, only to find it looking like a ghost town with burning cars and tyres on the road. We crossed the road and walked into the Naval Area on the opposite side and exited through Gulshan e Jamal to get home finally.

Over 90 mins of a walk, through several areas, each appearing to be strongholds of different political parties, through areas laden with and the smell of burning materials in the air, with panic and fear on many faces, and darkness that lurked through many streets.

Wishing everyone across the country safety and praying that things settle down soon.

Gathering from numerous sources, mobile calls and text messages from friends, it appears that a huge number of people are stuck right on the main roads all engulfed in panic, chaos and disorder. The situation is not only bad, there is no way the stream of vehicles that left their shops and offices for home can do a mass reversal. Even turning off the cars engine and parking them on the road – like we Karachites do during heavy rains – is not possible as everyone is worried about the property. This is going to be a tough night for a lot of people out there.

There’s a three day mourning announced by Mr. President.
Yes, I am already mourning for all the other people who have been mislead, in their passion for violence, for revenge. Every time, Karachi pays for the loss. As I speak National Hospital, right after Kala Pull has been set ablaze. Really, a hospital? A man has been shot, a bus has been torched near the Steel Mill. Shops are closed, people are panicking. A lot of people returning from offices have abandoned their cars in fear of being set on fire themselves. Gulistan-e-Jauher is the centre of violent activities.
Yes, no one should die in such dire circumstances. Terrorism is what it was. But the aftermath of terrorism must be terrorism as well?
What’s the update in your area?

Following the tragic news, Karachi appears to be in a grip of unprecedented panic right now. There is obvious panic and everyone is shocked. As the offices get closed down, people are rushing to their homes in anticipation of protests.

From the CNN’s headline:

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has died, according to media reports. Bhutto’s husband was quoted by Pakistan’s GEO TV as saying she suffered a bullet wound to her neck after a suicide bombing that killed at least 14 supporters at a rally today.

Welcome the NewYear with a bang like never before, be counted among the most rocking people of Karachi and burn the dance floor with lively music and your favorite DJs.

Rotaract / Rotary Club of Karachi present the charity ball of the year: “Winter Wonderland” on Saturday 29th December, 2007

Dinner and drinks will be served.

Passes: Rs. 4,000 per couple.

For further details, venue and tickets contact:
Sajjad: 0345 200 1270;
Shahzad: 0333 214 8855
Sabir: 0300 823 2210

Credits: Arsalaan Haleem

A few people are organizing a venture to get involved in monitoring/exposing rigging in the upcoming elections on 8th, January, 2008. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan is taking volunteers in to monitor, scrutineer the voting and partake in vote counting.

This is the time, where we can do our part towards free and fair elections, and to actually expose rigging as much as we can.

These are the two ways you can get involved….

1. Take part in Election Day with an Election Comission Card: Become a volunteer and get registered with the Election Commission. Once we are registered, we can walk into any polling booth. and even hopefully oversee/scrutinize the counting. This can actually be quite exciting because we are inshallah going to try to hit close races, where the actual rigging is done during counting.

TO GET REGISTERED, we just need to get them your NIC copy and two passport sized pictures.

2. Take part as a volunteer: You can show up on election day and help out and observe the polls and interview people after they have voted.

This can be a first small step towards us trying to work towards a much fairer election and at least find out and report how the big wig political parties rig elections…

For more information and to volunteer contact Moneeza or Faris at muharik@gmail.com

I expected our Quaid’s birthday anniversary celebrations would make the headlines for the leading newspapers of the country but the morning newspaper today with headlines of pre-poll violence in the city was truly disappointing and heartbreaking for every single Pakistani including me.

But then we all know it for a fact that before every elections the blood shed of our fellow countrymen becomes a vivid ingredient of the voting process. It depresses me to realize how easily we take it to violence, how easily we lose our tempers, how convenient it has become for us to take the life of a fellow citizen, Is this the Pakistan our beloved Quaid-i-Azam envisioned for us? And it depresses me even further when I look at the common people of this country, striped off their basic necessities, health and education, their children after 60 years of independence, still unclothed yet they are the ones who proudly sacrifice them selves for an aged dream of a better tomorrow. Will our dreams ever come true ? Will our prayers be answered ? Sadly, I don’t have a clue.

Industrial land in four successful industrial estates in Karachi is
more expensive than the real estate available in industrial estates of
China, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE, Sri Lanka and India!

And we wonder why industries are so slow in getting up here!

On a side note, a recent story narrated by a harried businessman, who was put out of business by CIVIC agencies goes something like this. He setup a soap factory is Korangi industrial area, after obtaining the available permits and approvals from the ‘visible’ agencies. After an expensive setting up procedure, he finally opened the factory for business and hired workers. On that first day, he was served with violation notices from almost TWENTY SIX ‘hidden’ civic agencies, whose officers then came around to harass and bribe the poor owner.

After months of fruitless negotiations, he was forced to close up shop and move back to the states, where he originally hailed from. His fault? He didn’t have the requisite ‘connections’ to keep these agencies at bay.

And land is STILL so expensive?! Doesn’t really makes sense, does it?

Anyone have more ‘horror stories’ to share while dealing with the civic agencies for business purposes?