November 3, 2001	Saturday	Shaba’an 16, 1422

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DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Nov 2: As a mark of protest and show of power, a large number of JUI(F) workers blocked the main Dera- Bannu Road near Pusha Pul early this morning; all the transport from and to Dera Ismail Khan and other provinces came to a halt.

Bannu-Dera Road connects all four provinces through the Dera- Darya Khan Bridge. The action was the result of a meeting of the JUI leadership last night held at Jamia Eid Gah.

Hundreds of JUI(F) workers, led by Khawaja Muhammad Zahid, finance secretary JUI(F), Maulana Lutfur Rehman, JUI leader and younger brother of Maulana Fazalur Rehman, Qari Muhammad Qasim, and Maulana Abdul Baqi-Amir-i-Zila, arrived at the spot.

Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Zahid warned the government that they could expect anything from the JUI workers if their demands were not met by Nov 9.

He said the government should withdraw its support from the US in its war against the Taliban, should not insist on a broad- based and multiracial government in Afghanistan, and should release all those who are in jails or under house-arrest in connection with the current Afghan issue.

Zahid said that if their demands were not met, JUI will initiate civil disobedience and block every highway in the country.

A huge police/FC contingent was present at the venue to deal with any untoward situation.