October 22, 2007	Monday	Shawwal 9, 1428

HYDERABAD, Oct 21: Workers and supporters of Pakistan People’s Party turned their wrath on the Sindh chief minister by defacing his portraits at some places and staging demonstrations, carrying dead crows — a reminder to Pir Pagaro’s likening him to a black crow — as the province observed complete strike on Sunday, the third day of mourning for the victims of Oct 18 Karachi carnage.

Party activists organised Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza, Quran Khwani and Fateha Khwani in all towns and districts of the province for the innocent and defenceless people who lost their lives in the blasts that hit Pakistan People’s Party’s rally in Karachi on Thursday.

The party’s Hindu workers expressed their feelings of sympathy with one Lekhraj Mal, leader of PPP’s minority wing, organising special prayers for the departed souls at Devi Mata Temple in Umerkot.

The activists brought out processions, held demonstrations and burnt tyres on roads and highways to give vent to their rage. Almost all the towns and districts observed a spontaneous strike though the party chairperson had instructed them not to organise strike or protest and just observe mourning, according to PPP sources.

In Kotri, enraged activists of Sindh People’s Youth who staged a big rally pulled down a portrait of the Sindh chief minister which was hung on an electric pole near Kotri police station and hurled stones at another life size portrait of the CM at Madina Chowk. They were about to deface it when a contingent of police deployed nearby rushed to stop them.

Enraged protesters in Nawabshah used a unique way to vent their anger. They staged a rally while carrying dead crows in their hands as a mark of protest against Sindh chief minister. It was a reminder to Pir Sahab Pagara’s calling him a ‘black crow’ on one occasion due to his alleged craftiness.

The rally, which started from Eidgah and terminated at the press club, demanded his immediate removal from office as the city observed a complete shutter-down strike on third day consecutive day. Some unknown persons set ablaze a car in Gharibabad while traffic remained off the roads.

All the markets and business centres remained closed in Sakrand, Daur, Bandhi, Qazi Ahmed, Doulatpur, 60-Miles, Jam Saheb and the adjoining towns of the district.

Hundreds of party activists led by district acting president, Ghulam Qadir Chandio and MNA Ghulam Mustafa Shah, offered Ghaibana Nimaz-i-Janaza at main Eidgah, which was also attended by members of Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Larkana, the native town of Ms Benazir Bhutto, and Qambar-Shahdadkot district observed complete strike. PPP Larkana President Ayaz Soomro, MPA Munawar Abbasi, MNA Anwar Bhutto and a large number of people attended Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza at Royal Chowk.

The leaders demanded arrest of people who had tried to destabilise efforts for a peaceful return to democracy in the country. Activists staged a procession and burnt tyres on the Airport Road for some time demanding that the government should unveil the faces behind the tragedy.

In Qambar, activists staged a procession and offered Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza and in Shahdadkot activists brought out a large procession.

Jacobabad wore a deserted look as the city observed complete shutter-down strike. Hundreds of activists offered Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza at DCO Chowk and organised Quran Khwani on Afzal Khan Khoso Road.

PPP activists in Thull wore black armbands, hoisted black flags on their office and homes and offered Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza during complete strike.

Congregations of Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza and Quran Khwani were held in Garhi Khairo and Kandhkot and a rally was staged in Kandhkot.

In Shikarpur, complete shutter-down strike was observed with all the main bazaars, markets and trade centres closed and vehicular traffic suspended.

Complete strike was observed in Khairpur and its adjoining towns with all the main trade centres, Shahi Bazaar, Civic Centre Chowk, spare parts market and Luqman Phatak closed.

Activists organised Quran Khwani and staged a peace rally attended by a large number of party workers, lawyers, social workers and members of general public.

Meanwhile, Mir Maqbool Khan Jamali and Dr Ali Khan Jamali, members of PML-Q announced their resignation from the party as mark of protest against the Karachi tragedy.

In Mirpurkhas and Umerkot, activists observed black day and staged rallies in different localities. Workers led by MNA Pir Aftab Hussein Shah Jilani offered Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza at the party office in Old Musafir Khana amid tight security.

The protesters raised slogans against the Sindh chief minister and staged a rally. All the markets and shopping centres in Mirwah Gorchani town, 10-Mile Mori, Mir Ji Landhi, Jhuddo, Phuladiyoon, Khai and Patoyoon remained closed while party workers burnt tyres in Mirwah Gorchani and staged a rally.

Partial strike was observed in Umerkot. PPP activists staged a rally, which later offered Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza amid strict security arrangements.

Party workers and supporters in Badin, Talhar, Tando Bago, Tando Ghulam Ali, Kadhan and their adjoining towns offered Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza and special prayers for the people who sacrificed their lives for the restoration of democracy in the country.

Badin PPP president Dr Sikandar Mandhro and former district nazim Kamal Chang led a procession. The participants wearing black armbands raised slogans against Sindh chief minister as they marched on the main roads of the city.

The leaders alleged that Sindh chief minister was directly involved in the tragedy and he should be booked.

Protest was observed in Tandojam, Naushahro Feroze, Kandiaro, Moro, Sanghar, Mithi, Kaloi, Islamkot, Nagarparkar, Thatta, Dadu and Jamshoro and several other towns of the province. In Tando Mohammad Khan a rally was staged, which was led by Syed Irshad Hussain Shah Bukhari.