2 April, 2005	Saturday	22 Safar 1426

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MULTAN, April 1: Activists of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and law enforcement agencies are heading for a showdown on the eve of strike call given by the religio-political alliance on Saturday (today). The Multan police arrested some four MMA activists in the limits of various police stations while a case was also lodged under MPO-16 against 35 other activists of the alliance with the Chehliak police station.

Those detained were identified as Farooq Shaheen, Khaleel Rehmani, Adeel Khalid and Gulzaib. Ijaz Jangla and Ishfaq Jangla had also been taken into custody from the precinct of Kutabpur police station, but they were released later on.

The Chehliak police registered a case against Abdul Wahab Niazi, Makhdoom Hasnain Hashmi, Shehzada Babar Mann, Muhammad Younas, Muhammad Farooq and 30 unidentified MMA activists. MMA activists had brought out a motorcycle rally here on Thursday as part of their mobilization campaign for the Saturday strike.

MMA spokesperson Kunwar Muhammad Saddiq anticipated more raids and arrests before the strike. However, he said, despite all coercive measures traders and transporters would observe the strike. DPO Sikander Hayat said that participants of MMA’s motorcycle rally had not only violated section 144 but they also blocked roads and delivered speeches against the government.

He claimed there would be no wheel jam on Saturday (today) while most of the markets would also remain open. He said main organizations of traders and transporters had disassociated themselves from the strike.

GUJRANWALA: Police took into custody some 100 MMA activists to foil strike on Saturday (today). On the directives of the high command, police teams continued raids at seminaries and residences of MMA leaders till late on Friday night. Reports said the police apprehended about 50 youths from outside Sheranwala Bagh when they came out after offering Friday prayers while the rest were arrested from other parts of the city.

DPO Dr Arif Mushtaq confirmed the arrest of MMA activists, but claimed that they were involved in criminal activities.

BAHAWALPUR: JI spokesman Jalil Hashmi claimed that the police had taken into custody 17 activists on Thursday night who were released later.

The spokesman said that resolutions were passed in favour of the strike at Friday congregations in several mosques of the city.

FAISALABAD: Major trader organizations in the city reportedly rejected the strike call.

Office-bearers of various trade bodies announced this after a lengthy meeting with Federal Textile Minister Mushtaq Ali Cheema, Provincial Communication Minister Zaheeruddin Khan and District Nazim Zahid Nazir.

The District Nazim said those wanted to continue their business would be fully protected. However, local MMA leaders made it clear that traders would be responsible for any loss should they open their shops.

Meanwhile, the District Bar Association announced that it would observe a token strike against the price hike, lawlessness and increase in the POL prices.

SARGODHA: MMA leaders and activists arrested on Thursday were released on Friday after a compromise reached between District Nazim Malik Amjad Ali Noon and MMA leaders.

MMA leaders promised not to disrupt the smooth running of business affairs while the administration would allow them to hold a protest meeting in front of Company Bagh according to the schedule.

OKARA: Traders and transporters were divided into groups over the strike call. Markazi Anjuman-i-Tajran president Shaikh Muhammad Saeed and secretary-general Malik Qadeer Hussain were in favour of the strike while Anjuman-i-Tajran group led by Shaikh Muhammad Shafique was opposing it.