Riots death toll tops 40, loss estimated in billions
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Angry mob has destroyed 43 railway stations and turned them to ashes while 20 others were partially damaged as the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto plunged Pakistan into a deep crisis. Sources said that a total of 63 railway stations were torched by angry mob, 43 of them were completely destroyed and remained to ashes while the furious crowd also set aflame 29 rail engines, 20 of them were completely destroyed.
Similarly, 20 passengers’ trains were set aflame while 15 railway bridges were torched since Thursday evening, sources said. The VHF tower between Sakkhar and Rohri has been blown away that isolated the Sindh province from rest of the country through rail links. In the wake of worsening situation on rail tracks, the officials of Railway Ministry has formally requested the Interior Ministry to depute contingent of rangers and security forces to safeguard the trains and railway stations.
Violence which erupted throughout Sindh after the assassination of former prime minister and PPP Chairperson Ms Benazir Bhutto resulted in the burning of more than 900 small and big vehicles and claimed lives of 40 persons and injuries to 57. This was stated by Caretaker Sindh Home Minister Brig (Rtd) Akhtar Zamin while replying to newsmen’s questions at a press briefing after the special meeting of Sindh Cabinet held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Justice (Rtd) Abdul Qadir Halepota here Saturday.
The Chief Minister Justice Halepota and Caretaker Information and Finance Minister Dewan Mohammed Yousuf Farooqui were also present on the occasion. Replying to a question, the Home Minister said the large scale incidents, resulting in massive damages, occurred due to instant reaction to the death of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He said the Federal Government has already formed a high powered commission to inquire into the incident.
He, however, said that on such occasions while on one hand grieved people mourn, on the other criminals take advantage of the situation and indulge in loot, plunder and destruction and it becomes difficult for law enforcers to discriminate between the two. He said such elements would be appropriately dealt with. When asked that there are apprehensions of shortage of wheat and oil due to suspension of rail traffic, the Home Minister said that only today directive has been received from the President asking the provincial government to take steps for restoration of railway traffic.
The Home Minister said that Sindh Government will provide all required help to the railway for an early resumption of rail traffic. He said that for passengers stranded at various stations, the Chief Minister has directed to transport them to their respective destinations through buses. Akhtar Zamin said it is high time that people should hold Quran Khawani for the departed soul of Benazir Bhutto who would certainly not have been happy seeing Sindh burning.