Karachi gave a new look on Friday - a city free from environmental pollution, a day ahead of the World Environment Day (June 5).
There was a soothing change in the city atmosphere with no smoke, which is a normal sight in Karachi where every vehicle plies with poisonous emissions.
It was a clean atmosphere even at Saeed Manzil and Denso Hall, which sometime are totally enveloped in heavy smoke screen due to emissions from vehicles. There was no sound pollution even.
It was a day of people who suffer from various diseases because of dangerously growing pollution. They had inhaled pure oxygen on Friday. They had some restless moments in absence of ear deafening noises of rickshaws and horns of buses and other vehicles.
'There had been no usual traffic jams in sight. Any one driving his car on Friday on city roads, although amidst strike- related fear, had an enjoyment of smooth driving. Traffic cops looked relaxed at roundabouts. They were not stopping anyone violating signals, nor they had any thing to chase.
It was a bright sunny day but not as warm as it is usually felt on the other days. Perhaps the reason was that there had been no hot and poisonous emissions, nor there had been much of warm air blowing out of thousands of air-conditioners.
Most people preferred to be relaxed at homes - they thought it is better to remain at home behind the excuse of strike.