KARACHI, Dec 11: More Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (Karachi) leaders joined in the token hunger strike on Monday, second day of the protest, against the disappearance of a large number of leaders and activists of various nationalist parties and groups based in Sindh and Balochistan.

Encamped outside the Karachi Press Club, the JSQM protesters deplored creation of ‘a state within the state’ and denial of the right to live a secure and respectable life.

They claimed that law-enforcement agencies were acting in complete disregard of even courts of law by whisking away and keeping activists in illegal detention.

They said the Sindh chief minister and the others at the helm of the affairs were making efforts only towards perpetuating their rule, and alleged that they had no concern whatsoever about the life and rights of Sindh and its people.

They appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of the increasing disappearance and help locate the unaccounted for political activists, who included Dr Safdar Sarki, JSQM secretary-general, Akash Malah and Asif Baladi.

They said the whereabouts of various nationalist cadres were not known for more than a year.

They claimed that Dr Sarki had been picked up by police and personnel of other sensitive agencies from his flat in Gulistan-i-Jauhar. They said that since his arrest on February 24, there was no report about his whereabouts.

They also appealed to all local and international human rights groups to come to their rescue and play their due role in getting political leaders and activists released.