The transporters in the city have decided to defer their protests and strike calls, which was earlier slated for 10 February and 18 February respectively in the light of the Chehlum blast and subsequent three days of mourning.

The decision was taken at a meeting between the transporters on Monday where the Chehlum attacks condemned. The participants of the meeting, including Irshad Bukhari of Karachit Transport Ittehad, Sindh Air Conditioned Bus Owners Association, Sindh Bus Owners Association, and the members of UTS Bus Operators Association spoke out against the recent hike in fuel prices at a corresponding time when oil prices in the international market have been falling.

They said that this move by the Government is detrimental to the transport sector which is already finding it difficult to make ends meet. They said that the Rs3.30 and Rs6 increase on diesel and petrol prices respectively was against the international trend.

It was concluded that in the light of the solidarity strike observed on Saturday and the mourning atmosphere still luring in the city following the twin blasts on Friday, the protest plan where a demonstration was to be held outside the Karachi Press Club on 10 February, followed by two consecutive days of hunger strike on 11 and 12 February, the plans have now been

unanimously been decided to be postponed with the demonstration now to be held on 17 February, while the strike will be observed from 25 February.