QUETTA, Jan 12: A shutter down strike was observed in Quetta on Saturday against the kidnapping of seven-year-old daughter of a child specialist and killing of a shopkeeper who tried to intercept the kidnappers.

The strike call was given by almost all the political parties, including Pakistan People’s Party, Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, Pakistan Muslim League, Balochistan National Party, Balochistan Shia Conference and Anjuman Tajiran.

All shopping centres, markets, business establishments, and shops remained closed. However, medical stores, vegetable market, hotels and fast food and newspaper stalls remained open with the permission of traders’ organizations.

The administration had deployed heavy contingents of police and Balochistan reserve police at the important places and markets to avert any untoward incident during the strike.

It may be recalled that, two days back, three armed men had entered the house of PPP Quetta divisional president, Shafiq Ahmed Khan, and kidnapped Ambreen, daughter of Dr Yousaf Pervez, elder brother of the PPP leader.

When women in the house raised alarm, a shopkeeper, Mohammad Ayub, tried to intercept the kidnappers on which they shot him dead.

No arrest has been made in this connection so far.

The political parties, Pakistan Medical Association and the business community have condemned the kidnapping and murder and demanded steps for early recovery of Ambreen.