[geopolitik] Bullies Still Run Certain Areas Of The Planet

1207. And here's your proof.

I've been following Metroblogs in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad since the state of emergency was declared some time ago (thanks to a recommendation from Betsy Richter on Portland Metblogs. I love Metblogs). It's an unnerving thing to do, but necessary, and it's amazing how blunt and fearless the writers are, and that despite being more messed-up than I can remember, the USA is still a fairly fortunate place to be.

The discourses speak for themselves. Karachite Tee Emm, approximately 0815, our time;

Gathering from numerous sources, mobile calls and text messages from friends, it appears that a huge number of people are stuck right on the main roads all engulfed in panic, chaos and disorder. The situation is not only bad, there is no way the stream of vehicles that left their shops and offices for home can do a mass reversal. Even turning off the cars engine and parking them on the road - like we Karachites do during heavy rains - is not possible as everyone is worried about the property. This is going to be a tough night for a lot of people out there.

Lahore resident, Momekh, at 0715 our time (boldface thiers, not ours):

Update: Effectively, everything is closed for now. We have a Shell Select store next to our house and that was the last store/shop within the Cantt area to finally close down. The Select Store (normally open 24 hours) was flooded with people from all across the area probably. The shops are closing mainly because of fear of retaliation, which is already taking hold in many areas of Lahore.

Stay at home...

Or just stay wherever you are. The situation may get worse outside with people burning anything they come up with. Most of the shopping areas (Fortress + MM ALAM confirmed) are closing down fast due to fear of violent protests. Please, for the sake of your loved ones, stay at home or wherever you are safe and pray.
Also, try avoiding going to work/school come tomorrow to see if the situation has calmed down.
Pray and God bless us all...
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Update: Habib Bank at Bank Square Market in Model Town is the latest victim of mob mentality and violent reaction to Benazir's murder.

An Islamabad Metblogger going by the ironically whimsical name "A is for [pine]Apple" gives a sobering view that ends on a hopeful note:

Aforementioned has given a new life to the riots and chaos country-wide. many already killed in Karachi, Larkana, Sukkur and many others injured. Our KMB co-author shares his account of escape. Tabish comes up with a list on What should the Pakistanis do from now on. Hoping and praying that the country comes out of the shock fast. We are not a bad nation; we're emotional. Emotion enough to destroy our ownselves in the process. The life never stops; it will move on, Pakistan will move on eventually.

Follow the links in the excerpt intros to go to, respectively, each city's Metblog edition and the individual posting.

The revolution won't be televised. It'll be Metblogged.

Tags: Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, Political Assassination

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