HYDERABAD, Feb 15: Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz chairman Bashir Qureshi has accused the authorities of launching an operation against workers of nationalist parties.

He was talking to journalists at a hunger strike camp set up by nationalist parties outside the press club here on Wednesday to protest against arrests of their activists.

Mr Qureshi alleged that Zulfiqar Kolachi, Shahmir Burdi, Sattar Hakro, Muzaffar Bhutto, Zafar Korejo, Munir Shah, Nawaz Khan Zaur, Sikandar Soomro and other activists of nationalist parties were being subjected to inhuman atrocities. He said many workers were being held incommunicado and it was not known whether they were dead or alive.

He alleged that Paryal Jakhro was being held in wrongful confinement by a feudal lord of Matiari and his life was in danger.

He said his party would not abandon its activists and would hold protest demonstrations throughout Sindh.

Mr Qureshi demanded that murderers of Khuda Bux Lund, who was killed in Matiari, should be arrested and detained workers of nationalist parties set free forthwith.

Answering a question, he supported opening of the Khokhrapar route and stressed the need for friendly relations between India and Pakistan.

He was of the opinion that the opening of the route would enable divided families to meet one another and help promote trade relations between the two countries.