HYDERABAD, May 16: The PML-F call for a province-wide strike on Thursday against alleged rigging in the May 11 general elections was ignored in Hyderabad district, barring a few areas of Qasimabad.

All the main business and commercial areas of Hyderabad and Latifabad remained open and there was no disturbance in the routine life.

In Qasimabad, business, trade and commercial activities in the main market, Nasim Nagar Chowk area and some other localities remained suspended in the morning but shops started opening by noon. However, fuel stations remained closed affecting movement of vehicular traffic and normal life. Routine life in Bulri Shah Karim and Tando Hyder talukas also remained unaffected.

PML-F candidate for PS-45 Chaudhry Nizamuddin Arain and Shahabuddin Shah Hussaini led a protest demonstration held on Hyderabad Bypass disrupting road communication for some time. The protesters raised slogans against rigging and demanded re-election across Hyderabad.

Another rally was led by PML-F’s Haji Niaz and Rafiq Magsi at Nasim Nagar Chowk.Similar protests were held outside the sessions court building on Hyderabad-Badin Road.

Meanwhile, activists and supporters of the 10-party alliance staged a protest demonstration at Pakistan Chowk against, what they claimed, poll rigging in Karachi and Hyderabad.

The participants were led by Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan president Sahibzada Abul Khair Mohammad Zubair, Jamaat-i-Islami leaders Sheikh Shaukat Ali and Abdul Waheed Qureshi, Qaumi Awami Tehrik leader Noor Ahmed Katiar, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf leaders Dr Mustansir Billa and Usman Kennedy.

They demanded fresh elections in Hyderabad and Karachi, and said that thumb impression scrutiny should be carried out to establish validity of rigging claims.

Our Nawabshah correspondent adds: The city which remained closed for five days since Friday on account of public holidays for polling and bloody clashes between PPP and MQM supporters did not respond positively to the PML-F strike call for Thursday.

All main markets and bazaars opened in the morning and closed in the evening as per the normal routine.

PML-F supporters led by the party’s district chief Syed Zahid Hussain Shah took out a rally and held a protest demonstration outside the local press club to condemn alleged rigging in the elections.

They alleged that PML-F polling agents were forced out of their respective polling stations by PPP workers, who along with policemen stamped ballot papers.

They demanded re-election in Sindh under supervision of the army.