SUKKUR, May 13: Prisoners of the Sukkur central jail-I observed a hunger strike on Saturday in protest against the jail staff for not allowing them meetings with relatives.

They demanded that the prisoners who were sent to other jails of Sindh after search operation last year should be shifted back to Sukkur.

About 2,000 prisoners started protest as soon as they were allowed out of their barracks.

When the jail authorities negotiated with them the prisoners once again put their demands including, allowing the prisoners to meet their relatives, stoppage of illegal gratification for allowing the prisoners to see their relatives and shifting back the prisoners.

Jail superintendent Gulzar Channa said that when the prisoners were let out of their barracks some two dozen resorted to protest, demanding for shifting back of the prisoners, who were sent to other jails after search operation.

He said that later the jail authorities negotiated with them and assured them that the prisoners would be called back from other jails after which they ended their protest.

PML: Minister of State for Defence Khalid Ahmad Lund has claimed that candidates of the Khushaal Pakistan Panel, supported by the Pakistan Muslim League, will win the local government elections in the Ghotki district.

Talking to journalists in Khalid Abad, Ghotki, he alleged that opponents had resorted to negative propaganda for fear of defeat.

He said PML president Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain and Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim had played a vital role in strengthening the party.