April 15, 2006	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 16, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

RAWALPINDI, April 14: All main markets and business centres in Pindi remained closed on Friday, while a partial shutter-down strike was observed in Islamabad to protest against the Nishtar Park carnage in which over 50 people were killed.

The call for countrywide shutter-down and wheel-jam strike was given by Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Jamaat Ahl-i-Sunnat, and other religious and political parties.

In Rawalpindi, main processions where taken out from Tench Bhatta, Iqbal Colony and Fawara Chowk, which gathered at Raja Bazaar.

The Tench Bhatta procession was led by Qari Haider Alvi. The protesters shouted slogans and also blocked traffic.

Speaking to protesters, Riaz Shah, Malik Ibrar, Chaudhry Ijaz, Raja Asif and other religious leaders condemned the Karachi bomb blasts and asked the government to arrest the culprits. Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully.

Likewise, activists of Sunni Tehrik (ST) and Jamaat Ahl-i- Sunnat, led by ST Pindi cantonment Ameer Allama Mohammad Haider Alvi, took out a rally from Marir Chowk, where they also blocked Murree Road for a while, and then marched towards Fawara Chowk, where they merged into other procession.

The rally converted into a gigantic gathering as people from all walks of life were observed chanting slogans against the elements involved in the Karachi bomb blasts.

Condemning the incident, Maulana Riaz Hussain Shah said the government had failed in ensuring security to the peaceful and religious gatherings, and vowed to continue strikes till the arrest of the culprits.

He ruled out the involvement of religious elements in Nishtar Park’s tragedy, saying western and Jewish lobbies were creating disintegration among various sects.

He asked the government to make public details of the culprits identified in various bomb blasts to let people know as to who real terrorists were.

Maulana Riaz also urged the political parties to put pressure on the government to thoroughly investigate the Karachi incident.

He asked Gen Musharraf to personally monitor the probe and unveil the people involved in the carnage.

In Islamabad, traders and shopkeepers, following an announcement made by Traders Action Committee Islamabad, observed a token shutter-down strike in all markets of the federal capital from 1pm to 4pm.

Demonstrations were also held in major markets. Speaking at different protest meetings, MNA Mian Aslam and leaders of traders’ association condemned the bomb blasts during Milad conference in Karachi, and asked the government to apprehend the culprits without any delay.

They deplored that the government agencies had failed to provide adequate security for the event, which led to killing of many noted Ulema and innocent people who had gone to Nishtar Park to pay homage to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

In Sector G-9, hundreds of protesters, who had gathered after Friday prayers, held the government responsible for killing of a large number of innocent people, including Ulema and scholars in Karachi.

The demonstration was organized by Muttahida Majlis- i-Amal. The participants sought removal of the Sindh government. They also accused the federal government, especially President Gen Pervez Musharraf, of following anti-Islam agenda and failing to maintain law and order.

MNA from the federal capital Mian Aslam and MNA Sahibzada Abul Al-Khair Zubair were leading the protesters who chanted slogans against the government.

They were also carrying banners and placards inscribed with anti-government statements.

The protesters called for taking steps to check recurrence of incidents such as publishing of blasphemous drawings by European newspapers.

The speakers alleged that Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Sindh government were involved in the Nishtar Park bomb blasts. Through a well-planned conspiracy, ulema and religious scholars are being targeted, they said.

On the other hand, transporters generally ignored the strike call and public and private transport vehicles were seen plying as usual.

Overall, law and order situation remained under control and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the twin cities.