Zeenews Bureau
Islamabad, Dec 28:Pakistan erupted into violence as the news of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto spread. Immediately after her death, Pakistan People’s Party’s workers and supporters took to the street torching vehicles, damaging public property as they sloganeered against the government of President Pervez Musharraf. Army has been called-in in the cities of Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur.
The Karachi airport was shut down, as were shops schools and banks across the length and breadth of Pakistan. Over 30 vehicles were set on fire on the Hyderabad bypass.
"All government and private educational institutions, all business and commercial centres and all banks throughout the country shall remain closed for three days with immediate effect," the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Protestors burnt down three railway stations in Kashmore, Hoibat and Khandat. 15 banks were vandalized in Pakistan and three were torched in Kahndat. Six factories were also reduced to ashes.
There were reports of prisoners overpowering jail officials and managing a break out. The Gambarkhan police station was also attacked.
The convulsions of violence were felt as far as Balochistam where three protestors were killed in police firing in Choohar Jamali. 17 other deaths were reported from other parts of the country including 13 from Sindh alone.
Meanwhile, President Musharraf in a televised address appealed to the people of Pakistan to maintain calm in this delicate moment.
"The President directed the security agencies to take all possible steps to maintain law and order in the country," the Interior Ministry statement said.
Pak Rangers issued shoot-to-kill orders
Pakistani paramilitary troops were today issued ‘shoot-to-kill’ orders to tackle rioters in the southern Sindh province amidst reports of fresh violence.
Rangers spokesman Major Asad Ali said the rioters "did too much" last night and had damaged government property and harassed the people.
Ali said the "shoot-to-kill" orders were applicable only in Sindh, where 16,000 Rangers personnel had been deployed to deal with the violence.
First Published: Friday, December 28, 2007, 00:00