May 14, 2007	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 26, 1428

FAISALABAD, May 13: Traders are set to observe a shutter-down strike in parts of Punjab today (Monday) to register their protest against the deteriorating law and order situation in general and the Karachi bloodletting in particular.

A decision to observe strike in Faisalabad was taken at a meeting held under the chair of Anjuman-i-Tajran city president Shahid Razzaq Saka.

Sources told Dawn that the traders lashed out at the government and its law-enforcement agencies for failing to stem the tide of evil forces, making it clear that they wanted to register their protest not as part of some political agenda but to mourn the killings in the port city.

After the meeting, the trader leaders announced through speakers at Clock Tower that the entire business community would keep the concerns closed.

BAHAWALPUR: Traders in this part of the province also have vowed to support all those who intend to protest the killings.

Various trade bodies backed the opposition’s call to observe complete strike, saying the traders would keep shutters down the whole day through.

On Sunday, the opposition parties observed black day in Bahawalpur as in many other areas in Punjab.

Ghaibana Nimaz-i-Janaza of the Karachi tragedy victims was offered at the Markazi Janazgah, Fowarah Chowk, in which a large number of people from all walks of life participated.

Activists of political parties later took out a rally through Circular Road. A rally by the MMA’s local chapter, amply supported by traders and seminary students, condemned the gory incident in Karachi.

MMA deputy parliamentary leader in Punjab Assembly Dr Syed Waseem Akhtar led the rally that joined the protesters of the ARD. Together they delivered fiery speeches and held the MQM and the Sindh government responsible for the killings. — Dawn Report