MULTAN, Nov 10: Workers of Mazdoor Itehad Union and Employees Welfare Association of Dhodak Oil and Gas Plant on Monday blocked Indus Highway at Kot Qaisrani Mor, Taunsa tehsil, in Dera Ghazi Khan district, to protest against the sale of Qadirpur gas field.

Holding placards and banners against the privatization of the field, the protesters blocked the highway linking Karachi with Peshawar for about four hours. As a result long queues of vehicles were seen on both sides of the road.

Addressing the protesters, PML-N MPA Mir Badshah Khan Qaisrani said that the government was selling sensitive assets of the country.

He said the sale of an economically profitable venture to get some temporary relief was unacceptable. He warned if the government went ahead with the proposed plan, a strong protest would be launched.

The joint secretary of the Mazdoor Itehad Union, Tabassum Qaisrani, said their protest would continue. He said there were reports that the government was also considering the privatization of Dhodak Plant which, he said, would be resisted at any cost.

KHANEWAL: Hundreds of Nandpur gas field employees on Monday blocked Kabirwala-Jhang Road for an hour in protest against the proposed privatization of Qadirpur gas field.

The protesters carrying banners and placards took out a procession from Nandpur gas field, situated at Mauza Nandpur. Chanting slogans against the government, the protesters reached the main Kabirwala-Jhang Road and blocked it much to the inconvenience of hundreds of motorists.