There is a palpable sense of tension and fear in the air. Karachi has witnessed a comprehensive breakdown of law and order. Immediately after news of Benazir's death, reports started coming in of massive traffic jams all over the city. Immediate reaction of every one on hearing the news was to get home as quickly as possible and make sure relatives and friends are safe and sound. The result was total gridlock and choked telephone and cellular networks. Over the next two days reports came in of markets totally closed, widespread arson and looting and general destruction of both private and public property.
On a personal level, my wife and I went out on Saturday to get some medicines. Of course all shops were closed. However the pharmacy at National Hospital was open. So when we reached there, we saw first one burnt out shell of a car, then another, then a third one and then a whole row. A mighty discomforting sight I tell you. We went inside and were in the process of buying the medicines when the guard came running in telling all people to quickly remove their cars as some boys were approaching with mala fide intent. Like the Light Brigade, ours was not to reason why. Everyone hurried out and swiftly removed their vehicles from the front of the building. Fortunately, the police came out in a heavy presence and an untoward incident was averted. A little later, while talking to some of the staff in the hospital, it transpired that the mob had also tried to attack the hospital. However the guard had fired in the air thereby dispersing it. Later, we went to the market to try and see if some shop was open; some of the medicines required not being available at the hospital. One shop was open although we only realized it because of the small crowd gathered in front of it. The occasional person coming out was also a give away. There was a tangible and infectious sense of panic inside the shop. If the shutters were open for even an extra second, there would be a scream from inside to close them. A city completely paralyzed by fear.
On a personal level, my wife and I went out on Saturday to get some medicines. Of course all shops were closed. However the pharmacy at National Hospital was open. So when we reached there, we saw first one burnt out shell of a car, then another, then a third one and then a whole row. A mighty discomforting sight I tell you. We went inside and were in the process of buying the medicines when the guard came running in telling all people to quickly remove their cars as some boys were approaching with mala fide intent. Like the Light Brigade, ours was not to reason why. Everyone hurried out and swiftly removed their vehicles from the front of the building. Fortunately, the police came out in a heavy presence and an untoward incident was averted. A little later, while talking to some of the staff in the hospital, it transpired that the mob had also tried to attack the hospital. However the guard had fired in the air thereby dispersing it. Later, we went to the market to try and see if some shop was open; some of the medicines required not being available at the hospital. One shop was open although we only realized it because of the small crowd gathered in front of it. The occasional person coming out was also a give away. There was a tangible and infectious sense of panic inside the shop. If the shutters were open for even an extra second, there would be a scream from inside to close them. A city completely paralyzed by fear.
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