March 4, 2006	Saturday	Safar 3, 1427

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PESHAWAR, March 3: A strike was observed in the NWFP on Friday against the publication of blasphemous cartoons in European newspapers.

Shopkeepers all over the provincial metropolis kept their shutters down, while political and religious parties staged rally in the Khyber Bazaar.

The strike was also observed in all the district headquarters of the province, which remained peaceful.

In Peshawar, the streets wore deserted looks and very thin traffic plied on the roads. Schools and colleges had already been closed.

Strict security arrangements had been made and heavy contingents of police and Frontier Constabulary were deployed at all sensitive places and bazaars in Peshawar.

The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) organized a big public meeting at the Khyber Bazaar.

During the meeting, effigies of US President George W. Bush and the Danish prime minister were set on fire.

The rally through a unanimous resolution condemned the nuclear agreement between the US and India and termed it a conspiracy against Islamic states. Another resolution demanded that the government should sever diplomatic and economic ties with Denmark, France and other European states.

Senior Minister Sirajul Haq, PPP provincial president Rahimdad Khan, PML-N provincial chief Pir Sabir Shah, ANP district president Malik Mustafa, MNAs and MPAs addressed the rally.

The lawyer community also took out a procession in Peshawar against the blasphemous caricatures.

MARDAN: Traders and transport unions observed complete strike on the call of opposition parties and MMA. Shops and market places throughout the district remained closed.

TIMERGARA: All political parties joined hands to make the strike in the Lower and Upper Dir districts successful.

The main bazaars and business concerns in the two districts remained closed during the day and transporters kept vehicles off the roads.

SWABI: A complete strike was observed across the Swabi district.

A demonstration was organized in the Swabi bazaar. Protesters marched on the streets and chanted slogans against the US, Denmark, France, Norway and other European countries where blasphemous cartoons were published.

They also carried placards inscribed with slogans against the Western countries.

ABBOTTABAD: A complete strike was also observed in Abbottabad, Mansehra and other quake-hit areas.

Business activities and routine life came to a standstill in the entire Hazara region as all the market places remained closed. Attendance in government offices also remained thin because no traffic plied on the roads.

Processions were taken out in Abbottabad, Havelian, Mansehra, Baffa, Balakot, Battagram and other areas.

KOHAT: Local leaders of religious parties and lawyers criticized the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) during protest rallies for its apologetic stance on Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine, which encouraged the US-Jewish lobby in the West to publish blasphemous cartoons of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

The strike remained successful as all business centres and bazaars in the district remained closed.

Almost all rallies remained peaceful and no violence was reported. Roads throughout the day remained deserted and thin traffic plied on city streets.

LAKKI MARWAT: The Ulema and Mashaikh wing of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League staged a demonstration in Darra Pezu against the publication of sacrilegious cartoons.

A complete strike was observed in the district and a rally was organized in the Lakki Marwat city.

HANGU: The town observed a shutdown strike and a rally was organized in the Doaba town.

The Hangu town bazaar, which had been closed since the Feb 9 bomb blast and riots, also wore deserted looks. Very thin traffic plied on the inter-district routes. Shops and market places in other small towns of the district remained closed during the day.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A successful strike was observed across the district. Peaceful rallies were held and all bazaars remained closed.

BANNU: Rallies were taken out, while business places remained closed. Vehicles also remained off the roads as the day saw a complete strike throughout the district.

KARAK: A complete strike was observed in the town and other areas of the district.