December 31, 2007	Monday	Zilhaj 20, 1428

BAHAWALPUR, Dec 30: Outraged PPP activists ransacked a bank branch at Eidgah Chowk on Multan Road amid slogans against the government here on Sunday.

Reports said that a group of PPP workers battered down the shutters and damaged the furniture and counter of the MCB branch.

While traders and shopkeepers kept their shutters down for the third consecutive day, adding to the inconvenience of the public who faced shortage of essential commodities.

Few medical stores were opened while fruit vendors charged high rates. The petrol pumps also remained shut throughout the day.

Some vehicles of the inter-city public transport were seen on the roads in the evening. A large number of commuters were still stranded at the General Bus Stand.

Quran Khawani for Benazir Bhutto was held at the Fawwara Chowk condolence camp, where a good number of PPP activists and civil society members participated in dua as well.

Some demonstrators also burnt tyres at Farid Gate. A heavy police contingent and Rangers personnel were deployed there to meet any eventuality.

Meanwhile, former MPA Syed Tabish Alwari, a PML-Q candidate from PP-271, condemned the elements who were involved in the damage of public and private property in the name of mourning.

He criticized the caretaker government for its failure to protect the property of the people.

VEHARI: The police baton-charged PPP activists and candidates when they tried to turn violent during protest on Sunday.

Reports said hundreds of PPP activists took out a procession after attending Quran Khwani for Benazir Bhutto. Led by Rao Sajid, a PPP hopeful for NA-169, Ghulam Sarwar Khichi (PP-236) and Advocate Iftikhar Ali, the protesters reached district courts and tried to torch the PML-Q banners but the police intervened.

On resistance, the police resorted to mild baton-charge making the protesters disperse. They, however, appeared again and marched towards the press club where they raised anti-government slogans.

Meanwhile, traders in Vehari and adjoining towns continued strike and the transports, too, remained absent. Fuel was not available at almost all petrol pumps for the most parts of the day. Unavailability of the transport discontinued supply of newspapers to most of Vehari.

People from all walks of life recited the Holy Quran and prayed for the departed soul.

TOBA TEK SINGH: ‘Soyem’ of Benazir Bhutto was marked here in Gojra and Pirmahal on Sunday. Scores of people attended the ‘soyem’ ceremonies and offered fateha for the departed soul.

On this occasion, local party leaders demanded that the government arrest Ms Bhutto’s assassins and give them exemplary punishment.

Meanwhile, a complete shutdown and soyam ceremonies were observed in Gujrat, Layyah, Mandi Bahauddin, Sheikhupura, Okara, Sadiqabad, Mianwali and Khanewal.