May 21, 2007	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 04, 1428

QUETTA, May 20: A complete strike was observed in Khuzdar town and activists of the Balochistan National Party (Mengal) blocked the RCD Highway in protest against the government’s refusal to allow the party to hold a rally in the town on Sunday.

As a result, traffic between Quetta and Karachi remained suspended for several hours.

Activists of the party held a demonstration outside the Khuzdar press club. They raised slogans against the detention of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, military operation in Balochistan, illegal detention of nationalist activists, Karachi carnage and the presidential reference against the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Police cordoned off the press club and officials informed the BNP-M leadership that they had not been given permission to hold the demonstration.

After the police intervention, the situation became tense and traders closed their shops in support of the BNP-M. All shops and bazaars remained closed till afternoon.

Former MNA Rauf Mengal said that a province-wide strike would be observed on May 23 in protest against the government’s undemocratic attitude.

He said that the BNP-M would hold a public meeting in Khuzdar on May 27 which would be addressed by leaders of the party.