SUKKUR, Oct 19: Hundreds of activists belonging to Jaey Sindh Qaumi Mahaaz (Aresar group) staged a demonstration and a sit-in on the National Highway near Qadirpur gas field on Sunday to protest against its proposed privatisation. Led by Abdul Wahid Aresar, Riaz Chandio and Jam Fatah Samejo, they gathered in front of the main gate of Qadirpur gas field and shouted slogans against the government, which according to them, was trying to sell this national asset on a throwaway price, thus rendering the local youth jobless.

Later, the protesters burnt tyres and blocked the highway for four hours, suspending vehicular traffic.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Aresar, Mr Samejo, Mr Chandio, Zahid Bhutto, Qaiser Zaman Pathan, Qurban Khuhawar and others condemned the proposed privatisation of Qadirpur gas field and termed it a conspiracy against the people of Sindh.

They said that only people of Sindh had a right over natural resources of the province and no one would be allowed to deprive people of Sindh from their right.

They warned that if the government didn’t shelve the proposal of privatising Qadirpur gas field, then it would have to face a strong resistance from every nook and corner of Sindh.

They demanded of the government to withdraw its decision of privatising the profit-earning Qadirpur gas field.

Our Naushahro Feroze correspondent adds: The activists of Labour Party Pakistan also staged a demonstration and observed token hunger strike in Moro against the proposed disposal of Qadirpur gas field here on Sunday.

The LPP activists were led by their leaders Younus Rahu and Mukhtiar Rahu. Activists of JSQM, JSM and Education Department Lower Staff Union also joined them.

After staging demonstration, they observed a token hunger strike outside press club Moro for three hours.

They demanded to stop the sale of mineral resources of Sindh.

Their leaders said that people of Sindh were already under stress due to influx of aliens and this sale would further add to their problems.