SUKKUR, Oct 12: A strike was observed in Sukkur and other towns on the call of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Defence Council as a result of which all trade and business centres remained closed, attendance in schools and offices was thin, and few vehicles plied on the roads on Friday.

Anti-US rallies were brought out today at Sukkur, Rohri, Pano Aqil, Ghotki, Thull, Kandhkot, and Therhi in which a large number of workers of the Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam (JUI), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), and the Sunni Tehrik participated.

In Sukkur, the rally was led by Qari Khalil Ahmed, Deputy Naib Ameer JUI Maulana Murad, and district Ameer Jamaat-i-Islami Ghulam Ghous Ghazi. The protesters marched through the main roads finally stopping at the Clock Tower Chowk.

The protestors later burnt the effigy of US President Bush.

A heavy police force had been deployed in Sukkur for the entire day. At least 200 policemen guarded the meeting venue from all sides, and many of them were placed on the rooftops of buildings.

Our Shikarpur Correspondent adds: A complete strike was observed on the call of the JUI on Friday. A big demonstration was held at Rustam Chowk road, near Madarsa Qadria, to protest against the US attack on Afghanistan.

Our Sanghar Correspondent adds: Rallies were taken out in different parts of the district by religious parties against the US attacks on Afghanistan.

In Shahdadpur, Tando Adam, and the district headquarter rallies were taken out after Juma prayers. Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans against US President George W. Bush.

Similar rallies were also taken out at Tando Adam and Sanghar. The protesters burnt an effigy of US President George W. Bush.

Our Naushahro Feroze Correspondent adds: A complete shutdown strike was observed in the district on Friday against the American air attacks on Afghanistan.

Activists of the JUI took out rallies in Kandiaro and Darya Khan Mari.

Our Larkana Correspondent adds: Around 500 activists of the JUI, and the Sipah-i-Sahaba protested against the US air strikes on Afghanistan on Friday. They took out a procession from the Madarsa of the JUI.

The participants carrying flags and placards marched on the main streets of the town.

The procession was heavily guarded by police. Later, the protesters burnt an effigy of the US president.

Another procession was taken out under the aegis of the Khaksar Tehrik in Mirokhan. It was led by Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah.

They also flayed the US attacks on Afghanistan in which innocent citizens were being targeted. Security was intensified in Larkana. Besides, there was extensive patrolling on the highways.

Our Badin Correspondent adds: A partial strike was observed in Badin and its other towns on Friday.

After Juma prayers, several small rallies were taken out from various localities of the city. Later, the rallies congregated in front of the Qatar Mosque.

The protesters were led by Maulana Ghulam Ali Gopang, Maulana Abdul Sattar Chawaro, Maulana Abdul Hafeez Soomro, and Maulana Ismail Sohrat. They marched through the roads of the city and raised slogans against the US. They condemned the military government for having allegedly injured the feelings of Muslims. They charged the US of being a “state terrorist”.

Our Dadu Correspondent adds: A partial strike was observed in various towns of Dadu District on Friday.

Radhan town, Mehar, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Phulji Station, Piaro Goth, Dadu, Johi, Sehwan Sharif, Kotri, and Jamshoro town remained partially closed.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed at mosques, Imam Bargahs, and other sensitive places in the district.

Our Thatta Correspondent adds: The call for a strike against the US air strikes on Afghanistan did not receive a positive response in Thatta District.

A heavy rainfall after Juma prayers could have been one of the reasons for the strike not proving to be a success. However, peaceful processions were taken out in Sujawal and Mirpur Bathoro towns.

Our Mirpurkhas Correspondent adds: The strike call of the Defence Afghanistan Council did not receive any response as several markets remained opened on Friday.

However, a protest demonstration was staged by the JI, JUI, and Sipah-i-Sahaba after Juma prayers outside the Madina Masjid.