April 9, 2003	Wednesday	Safar 6, 1424

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SUKKUR, April 8: A complete strike was observed in Sukkur, Ghotki, Kandhkot, Ubaro, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and other parts of the interior of Sindh and processions were taken out on Tuesday to condemn the US-led invasion of Iraq.

The strike was observed on the call of the Pakistan Organization of Small Traders and Cottage Industries.

The protesters were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans for peace.

The biggest procession emerged from the Ghausia Mosque that marched through the main roads of the city and terminated at the Clock Tower where a public meeting was held.

In Kandhkot, the protesters slammed the US and its allies for waging the war.

A protest rally was also staged in Ghotki.

LARKANA: Expressing solidarity with the Iraqi people a complete strike was observed here on Tuesday in response to the call of the small traders and cottage industry organizations.

All the main trading centres remained closed on the day and various traders’ bodies took out processions.

The police were extensively deployed on the main roads to face any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, the lawyers community under the flag of the high court and the district bar associations on Tuesday held a demonstration against the US-led invasion of Iraq.

Abdul Razzak Soomro, president, High Court Bar Association, and Ayaz Soomro, president, District Bar Association, jointly led the protest procession that began from the sessions court.

Baboo Sarfaraz Jatoi, general secretary, District Bar Association Larkana, advocate Ghulam Sarwar Abbasi, former president of the DBA, Amanullah Shaikh, Aftab Gorar, and others marched on the main roads of the city carrying banners and placards.

The banners were inscribed with slogans like “Down with Bush and Blair” and “No war for oil”.

The protesters finally stopped at the Pakistan Chowk where several of the DBA leaders gave speeches.

Abdul Razzak Soomro, who had been ambassador to the UAE during Benazir Bhutto’s regime, said that it was not a war against Islam but it was really a war against “humanity”. He said, “We stand by human values and humanity.”

The protesters also demonstrated in front of the press club.

JACOBABAD: A procession was taken out by the Small Traders Union against the US aggression against Iraq.

The procession started from the main market and after marching through different streets terminated at the DCO Chowk.

The protesters also staged a sit-in.

DADU: To protest against the attack on Iraq, a complete strike was observed in the district. All the bazaars remained closed.

KHAIRPUR: A strike was observed and processions were taken out in Luqman, Nim More and Nizamani areas to protest the war on Iraq.

The processions after marching through different thoroughfares terminated at the Panj Gulla Chowk where a public meeting was held.

BADIN: On the call of business organizations, a complete strike was observed in all the towns of the district against the US-led attack on Iraq.

The protesters burnt effigies of President Bush and Prime Minister Blair in Badin, Shaheed Fazil Rahu, Talhar, Matli, Kadhan, Nindo Shaher, Tando Bago, Khoski, Kario Ganwhar and Shadi towns.

The people expressed solidarity with Iraqi people and demanded immediate end to the war.

NAWABSHAH: On the call of the All Pakistan Small Traders (APST), a complete shutter-down strike was observed in the district against the invasion of Iraq by the US-led forces.

A procession was taken out by traders, businessmen and members of different religious parties.

The procession emerged from the Masjid Road and after marching through the Chakra Bazaar and the Kutchehry Road ended at the press club.

The protesters were carrying banners, posters and a coffin of the UN.

They raised slogans against President Bush and Prime Minister Blair and burnt the flag of the US.

Speaking at the rally, APST general-secretary Qayoom Qureshi, Nawabshah Sarafa Association president Aslam Shaikh and Karyana Traders Association president Shafiur Rehman Jaddon condemned the US invasion of Iraq.

HYDERABAD: A partial strike was observed in Hyderabad city on Tuesday on the call of different trade organizations against the Iraq war.

The Shahi Bazaar, Faqir-ka-Pir, Sarafa Bazaar, Resham Bazaar, Electronic Market and the Food Grain Market remained closed.

The Anjuman-i-Dukandaran-i-Gari Khata, Nusrat Bazaar, Shopkeepers Association, Al-Raheem Centre Shopkeepers Association and other organizations took out processions.

The protesters burnt effigies of US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Shopkeepers staged a protest demonstration outside the press club.

THATTA: A partial strike was observed in the district on the call of small traders in support of Iraq. The protesters condemned the US and its allies for invading Iraq.