LARKANA: The Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Mr Z.A. Bhutto, is to start his hunger strike at his residence at Larkana along with Mr Ghulam Mustafa Khar after the Juma prayers tomorrow [Feb 14]. They will continue their fast till emergency was lifted from the country.

Air Marshal Asghar Khan who had prolonged discussions with Mr Bhutto at the latter’s residence today failed to persuade Mr Bhutto to not go on hunger strike, Mr Abdul Wahid Katpar, Acting Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Sind region, said in Larkana today.

Over a dozen Peoples Party leaders who will join Mr Bhutto in his hunger strike at various places include Mr Mumtaz Bhutto, Mr Hayat Muhammad Khan, Dr Mubashar Hassan and Mr Ahmad Raza Khan.

Mr Katpar said more people will join the hunger strike in stages, probably on the second day onwards.

The Peoples Party chief, who is detained under the Defence of Pakistan Rules since Nov 13 last, had threatened to go on hunger strike if the state of emergency was not lifted within a week.

He had declared his intentions before the Special Bench of the West Pakistan High Court on Feb 7. — Agencies

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2019