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| October 16, 2001 | Tuesday | Rajab 28, 1422 |
Strike observed in upper Sindh
SUKKUR, Oct 15: Complete strike was observed in Sukkur, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Kandhkot, Ghouspur, Buxapur, Pano Aqil, Ghotki and other parts of upper Sindh on the call of Pak-Afghan defense council and big rallies was taken out in these cities denouncing the government policies on Afghan issue.
Protest rallies were taken out from different parts of Sukkur City culminating at the Clock Tower into a public meeting where Jamiat Ulama-i-Islam (JUI) leader Moulana Mohammad Murad Halijvi, representative of local small traders Mehboob Azam and dozens delivered charged speeches.
The participants chanted slogans against President Bush and Gen Pervez Musharraf.
A heavy police contingent remained on vigilance. However, no untoward incident was reported.
The speakers said that their movement against America and the non-representative government of Pakistan would continue.
They said that US state secretary Colin Powell had come to the country to strike a deal on Kashmir and he would perhaps appeal to Indian prime minister Atal Behari Vajpai to withdraw forces from Kashmir only to hoodwink Pakistan and the Mujahideen who would also be asked to withdraw from Kashmir.
The leaders demanded that broad-based government be formed in Pakistan before demanding the same for Afghanistan.
They criticized the government for standing by the US and its allies in their attacks on Afghanistan and demanded resignation of President Musharraf.
Our Nawabshah correspondent adds: Shutter down strike was observed in different parts of district Nawabshah on a call of several religious parties against US airstrikes on Afghanistan, visit of US secretary of state Colin Powell and Pakistan’s allowing the US to to use its soil for military action against Afghanistan. However, traffic remained on the roads.
Nearly all the commercial areas and markets remained closed here including Cloth Market, Liaquat Market and Tayyaba Shopping Centre.
The protesters burnt tyres in Manuabad and Golimar. Stones were hurled on open shops near Qazi Ahmed Turn.
Rallies were staged in different parts of the district by religious parties.
A rally was taken out here from Kabir Masjid near Nawabshah railway station in which around 1500 people participated.
A large number of policemen and other law enforcement agencies personnel were present to control any untoward situation.
The rally ended peacefully at Habib Bank Chowk.
Groups of the protester set on fire the effigies of US President Bush in different areas of the city.
Another rally with at least 150 protestors was taken out in Sakrand which started from Madina Masjid and ended peacefully near Hotel Chowk.
Our Khairpur correspondent adds: A complete shutter down strike was observed in Khairpur town on the call of JUI on Monday.
Our Naushahro Feroze correspondent adds: A partial shutter down strike was observed on the call of different religious parties throughout the district.
Most of the shops and other markets remained closed.
However, the traffic remained on the road.
Our Mirpurkhas correspondent adds: Strike was observed on Monday in Mirpurkhas town.
The main markets, bazars and business centres remained closed.
However, some shops were opened at Sir Syed road and Gharibabad road.
Some groups of youth burnt old tyres at Naipara, Khipro bus stand, Naka Chowk, Mirwah road, Satellite town etc.
Strict security arrangements were made by the administration as patrolling was intensified and police personnel were deployed at main roads, chowks, sensitive places and exit and entry points of the city.
Our Badin correspondent adds: Partial strike was observed in district headquarters Badin, while complete strike was observed in other towns of the district.
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