April 1, 2006	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 2, 1427

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QUETTA, March 31: Hundreds of activists of the Pakistan Workers’ Federation staged a rally here on Friday to condemn recurring bomb blasts, rocket attacks and blowing up of national installations and to call for restoration of peace in the province.

Members of various trade unions marched on various roads in the provincial capital, carrying banners and chanting slogans urging end to hostilities between the government and some tribal chiefs.

The protesters later gathered in front of the press club, where the federation’s provincial chairman, Abdul Salam Baloch, general-secretary Mohammad Ramzan Achakzai and other leaders addressed.

They condemned the incidents of violence in the province and said that it was badly affecting the poor. They said that the privileged class, including generals and sardars, had failed to protect the life and property of the people.

The labour leaders called upon the government and tribal chiefs to stop fighting and start negotiating to resolve all outstanding issues and resotre peace in Balochistan. They condemned attacks on national installations in the province and urged the government to provide protection to Wapda workers. They urged the workers to refuse to work unless the government provided protection during duty hours.

Police and local administration did not allow protesters to stage a demonstratin in front of the Governor’s House and the Chief Minister’s House after they received information about the killing of a Wapda worker in a landmine explosion in the Mach area.

Provincial Home Minister Mir Shoaib Nausherwani met with the protesters and assured them that the government would take all possible steps to give them protection.

He also promised that the government would pay compensation for victims of subversive activities.