(Reopens FES 106)

Karachi will experience a complete shutdown tomorrow in the aftermath of the bomb blast in Quetta that claimed 84 lives and injured scores yesterday. The Pakistan Shia Ulema Council today announced they would observe a strike tomorrow in Karachi to protest against the sectarian killings of innocent Shias in Quetta and other parts of the country. Meanwhile, Twelve people were killed in violence in Karachi today. Police said while six persons had fallen victims to target killings in different parts of the city, six bodies, including that of a 14-year-old girl, had also been recovered from Mauripur, Sohrab Goth, Netti Jetty and Korangi today. With the city already reeling because of the killings and protests held in several areas against the Quetta bomb blast today, the Shia council has also started a sit-in, that includes women and children, at the Numaish roundabout in Karachi. A similar sit-in has also begun in Quetta with Shia leaders announcing the sit-in's would not end until their demands are met by the government. Soon after their announcement the Karachi public transporters association, traders association and other bodies also came out with statements supporting the call by the council. The transporters association said they would not ply public transport tomorrow as the private schools association also announced schools would remain closed. Leading political parties including the Mutthaida Qaumi Movement (MQM) which is the single largest party in Karachi have also backed the strike call. The council has also started a sit-in that includes women and children at the Numaish roundabout while a similar sit in has begun in Quetta as well.