07 February 2004	Saturday	15 Zilhaj 1424

ISLAMABAD, Feb 6: The MMA's strike call on Friday received a partial response in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad as business continued normally throughout the day in most of the shopping centres.

The call had been given to express solidarity with the nuclear scientists detained by the government. The main shopping centres of Rawalpindi - Saddar and Commercial Market - remained open throughout the day.

Similarly, in Islamabad, normal business continued in Blue Area, Super Market and Jinnah Super Market. However, strike remained partial in Aabpara Market and G-9 Markaz. Transport continued to ply on all routs as normal.

Bakhtawar Mian adds from Rawalpindi: The MMA's shutterdown strike received a lukewarm response from the traders in Rawalpindi. Traders were divided in two groups - one totally opposed to the strike, while the other one supported it.

In most of the city markets and shops, traders distanced themselves from the strike and termed the MMA call baseless. They were of the view that no one was above the law and those who had embezzled national wealth and sold technologies to other countries should be punished.

"They received all privileges from the government, but resorted to dishonesty and violated national and international laws," said Mr Zaidi, the vice president of Sheikh Siddique group of traders.

Abbasi group of traders, led by trader-cum-politician Mohammad Hanif Abbasi, supported the strike call and kept businesses closed. However, some traders in this group, too, remained aloof from the strike.

Meanwhile, the local leaders of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal expressed satisfaction over the response from traders. However, they admitted that the strike was partial.