Karachi comes to a grinding halt after strike call by Imran Khan's party

Karachi: Pakistan's largest city and business hub was paralysed today on a strike call given by Imran Khan's party as part of its countrywide protests against the Nawaz Sharif government for allegedly rigging last year's polls. Markets, shops and petrol pumps remained shut in many parts of the city since early morning with sparse public and private transport on the roads. The metropolis wore a deserted look as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leaders and supporters held protest sit-ins at around 38 locations in the city blocking main roads.[caption id="attachment_1846811" align="alignleft" width="380"] Imran Khan's party imposed a shutdown in Karachi. AFP[/caption] At many places that included the upscale areas of Clifton and Defence, the sit-ins were dominated by female workers and supporters of the party. The strike was enforced by the PTI as part of its ongoing protest against alleged rigging in the last general elections by Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz). Imran, who reached here in the afternoon was given a rousing welcome by partymen. He was flanked by senior leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Sheikh Rasheed. Imran thanked the people of Karachi for supporting his strike call. "I am grateful to the people of Karachi who have supported us in our just demands. It is the democratic right of any person to hold peaceful protests for his demands," he said. The politician further said PTI agitations and sit-ins in different cities would continue until a judicial commission holds inquiry into the rigged election results. The attempted shutdown of Karachi, for long the stronghold of the Mutthaida Qaumi Movement (MQM) which represents the urdu speaking migrants from India, is PTI's first major show of strength.Two months back Imran addressed a massive rally near the Quaid-e-Azam mausoleum as part of his party's protests and sit-ins but this is the first time the PTI tried to flex its street muscles.Political analysts credited the success and largely peaceful strike to the announcement by MQM chief Altaf Hussain late yesterday that he supported Imran's right to protest.PTI