ISLAMABAD: Exodus of diplomatic staff has started from Karachi, following continued violence between the warring Mohajir Quami Movement (MQM) factions.
Reports here said that nearly 70% of the diplomatic staff has moved to Islamabad from Karachi. The foreign consulates have already asked their staff not to move around in the strife tom city “where life has become uncertain,” reports added.
The Karachi stock exchange suspended trading for the second day because of the growing violence, the cotton exchange and the Karachi port also reported no activity.
More than 200 people have been killed in Karachi over the past one ‘month in fighting between the MQM activists and the government forces. The violence was sparked off by the alleged rape of a 16yearold girl, sister of an underground MQM activist.
The MQM faction led by Altaf Hussein has given the Benazir Bhutto Government an ultimatum to meet its demands including the arrests of the alleged rapists.
Banks closed early on Monday and some shifted their staff living in troubled areas.
Panic and fear is spreading among 12 million residents of Karachi as food and basic essentials are in short supply because whole sale grain Maries have been closed since Friday and fresh vegetables are in short supply because of no transportation,
The Opposition again demanded a debate on the Karachi situation in the National Assembly which is discussing the federal budget. The government spokesman dismissed the demand, coming on the heels of a debate held over the weekend, as a delaying tactic but offered to hold the debate after the budget is passed.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 30, 1995
