June 26, 2007	Tuesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 10, 1428

LARKANA, June 25: Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz chairman Bashir Qureshi has expressed fear that the party’s general secretary Dr Sadfar Sarki, Asif Baladi and other nationalist leaders and activists picked up by intelligence agencies had either been killed or were being tortured in ‘safe houses’.

Speaking to party activists at the Martyrs’ Square in Qambar, Mr Qureshi said the government was tight lipped about the whereabouts of Dr Sarki 16 months after his arrest.

He said the government had allocated Rs40 billion for the construction of the Kalabagh dam in disregard to resolutions passed unanimously by the assemblies of the three smaller provinces.

He held the government responsible for fanning tribal clashes in Sindh and called for sincere efforts to address the issue, which, he said, was drastically affecting the society. He said the government was not paying heed to the demands and grievances of the people despite protests, which might force them to adopt another course.

He said Monday’s strike was peaceful but JSQM activists had been attacked in Gambat and Dahrki. He said around 100 workers of the group had been arrested. He called for their release.