Protests and demonstrations continued for the third consecutive day on Saturday in the Federal capital against the brutal assassination of PPP Chairperson and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
There is no let up in the unannounced strike and protests, adding to the sufferings of the residents due to short supply of food, medicine and fuel.
Almost all petrol pumps, business centres, markets, educational institutions, banks and offices remained closed. The protesters also took to the roads, including Zero Point, Aabpara, Bari Imam, Sitara Market and Karachi Company, where die-hards burnt tyres, posters and portraits of Pakistan Muslim League-Q candidates erected at different places for January 8 general elections.
Students and teachers of the Quaid-i-Azam University also took out a protest rally from the campus to Bari Imam, chanting anti-government slogans.
The uncertain law and order situation added to manifold miseries of the dwellers due non availability of "atta," medicine and transport facilities.
No public transport was seen on roads for the last two days either due to shortage of fuel or insecurity of the transporters after widespread rampage in all the major cities.
Bus stands at Faizabad and Karachi Company also remained closed and passengers, who want to leave the twin cities remained stuck up for the last three days. Few taxis on the roads were the sole option for the passengers to reach their destinations paying exorbitant fares.
Hamid Khan, a government employee, said that he had to hire a taxi for Rs 200 from Barakahu to Polyclinic to have medical check-up of his ailing father for which he normally paid Rs 70.
The taxi drivers, who used to charge Rs 15 per passenger from Melody to Karachi Company in normal days have also increased their fares to Rs 40 per passenger since the incident took place.
On the other had, the LPG distributors have also increased their rates from Rs 70 per kilogram to Rs 80 to 85 since Thursday in the absence of any check. "Atta" is also rarely available at fixed price.