Shops in several Karachi areas were forcibly closed by unidentified men but later reopened after intervention from police and Rangers. According to reports, shops at the Burns Road food street were closed after men came out on streets. However, the shops were reopened after police arrived in the streets and assured shop owners of security. Similar situation was reported at markets in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. In Korangi 2 1/2, unidentified men blocked roads and burnt tyres near Chiniot Hospital. District Korangi SSP Shahjahan Khan told SAMAA Digital that men on motorbikes forced people to close shops and businesses. However, police has assured shop owners of security and markets .
The anti-terrorism court has disposed off the investigation officers plea to drop the terrorism charges in Irfan Mahar murder case. Sindh Bar Council s secretary Irfan Mahar was shot dead by two motorcyclists near his residence in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Johar on December 1. According to the investigation officer, the terrorism charges should be dropped from the case after initial investigation points at three relatives for the murder. The lawyer representing Mahar s brother Rizwan, who is the complainant in the case, maintained that the charges can not be dropped at the initial stage. After hearing the arguments from both the sides, the court rejected IO s plea to remove the te.