Islamabad, Jun 13 (IANS): A shutters-down strike is being observed in Pakistan's port city of Karachi Wednesday against the prevailing lawlessness, as eight more people have died in the ongoing violence in the city, a media report said.

According to Dawn, most of the educational institutes are closed with scheduled board exams having been postponed. Majority of the compressed natural gas (CNG) and petrol vends are closed as the transport association is supporting the strike call.

The traffic is sparse on Karachi roads.

Karachi Traders Association chairman Atiq Meer had earlier called for the strike Wednesday against the lawless situation in Karachi after extortionists killed two traders in a market Tuesday.

Both traders were brothers to former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Shakir Ali.

Sindh's Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has directed the Sindh inspector general of police and the director general Pakistan Rangers to intensify security arrangements and deploy additional personnel to ensure security during the strike called by the traders.

The traders' strike is being supported by the MQM and endorsed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), and many other political parties, Dawn reported.