HYDERABAD, Oct 17: Following the arrest of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz chairman Bashir Qureshi and vice chairman Niaz Kalani from Qasimabad, JSQM activists led by Chacha Qasim Soomro staged protest demonstration and observed token hunger strike outside the Hyderabad press club on Wednesday.

They condemned the arrest of Qureshi and Kalani and alleged that a large number of other activists had also been arrested.

They said that the nationalist leaders were being rounded up to sabotage the movement against the influx of Afghan nationals into Sindh, which was aimed at converting the Sindhi speaking population into a minority.

They warned the Pakistan government if the popular leaders were not released, JSQM would hold a series of protest demonstrations throughout the province.

Meanwhile, the chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain, in a statement faxed to Dawn from London, condemned the arrest of Bashir Khan Qureshi and Niaz Kalani.

He said “the so-called Jihadi organisations are roaming about freely creating disruption and chaos and attacking airports and railway stations with impunity but those peacefully struggling for the rights of Sindh are being arrested.”

He said that Pakistan was passing through a critical phase of its history as the Afghan crisis had endangered the country and situation in Kashmir was also deteriorating.

MQM leader said that the need of the hour was to build national consensus and draw a line of action to challenge the danger facing the country.

In his opinion instead of developing a national consensus, the establishment was committing excesses against those who were raising their voice for the rights of Sindh.

“Would the country benefit from the public unrest in Sindh which is developing because of state repression”, he asked.

He demanded immediate release of Bashir Qureshi and Niaz Kalani.

JSMM: The chairman of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz, Shafi Mohammad Burfat has also condemned the arrest of Bashir Khan Qureshi and Niaz Kalani.