Violence in Karachi forces shifting of sporting events

The recent upsurge in violence in Karachi has forced the shifting of a number of international and national sports events to other cities after participating players raised concerns over the current security situation.
The last one week has seen a dramatic upsurge in the violence in the country's financial hub in the wake of the deadly bombings in Abbas town in Gulshan-e-Iqbal in which around 50 people were killed and at least 135 injured.
The city was paralysed for most of the day on Tuesday after violence in many parts and even on Thursday it remained tense as eight people, including two personal of the para-military rangers, were killed in firing incidents.

A four-member Indian snooker squad that was to reach Karachi on Wednesday for a bilateral series also called off its visit because of the violence and the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association has now postponed the event indefinitely.
"Even the Asian Snooker Championship which is scheduled in April could be affected if the situation does not improve," a PBSA official confided.
A Sri Lankan throwball team that was to take part in a Test series in Karachi from next week has also cancelled its visit due to the law and order situation. New dates for the matches will be announced later.

The organisation of the national throwball championship that is to be held in Karachi from March 22 is also in doubt now.