The Sindh government today issued shoot-at-sight orders in Pakistan's port city of Karachi to quell bloody riots that have claimed at least 63 lives and injured 155 following the murder of a prominent lawmaker two days ago.
Reza Haider, a senior member of Sindh Provincial Assembly, was gunned down along with his bodyguard and a party worker on Monday by unidentified assailants when he had gone to a mosque to attend the funeral of a relative.
The death of the legislator belonging to the Muthaida Qaumi Movement (MQM) sparked off a deadly outbreak of riots in the country's commercial capital.
Police and hospital officials said that 63 people have been killed and 155 people are being treated in hospitals as of now in the violence.
Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza said Rangers and police personnel have been ordered to shoot at miscreants indulging in violence.
Scores of shops, vehicles, houses and carts were burnt by unidentified miscreants despite heavy patrolling on roads and streets in the city.
The All Karachi Traders Association claimed that businessmen had suffered a loss of 10 billion Rupees because of the violence in two days.
{{/usCountry}}The All Karachi Traders Association claimed that businessmen had suffered a loss of 10 billion Rupees because of the violence in two days.
{{/usCountry}}Life remained at a standstill as all markets, schools, colleges, commercial areas, public and private transport were closed here on the second day of a three-day mourning period announced by the MQM for their slain leader.