ISLAMABAD, Aug 28: The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) has called a countrywide strike on Sept 1 and announced to hold an All-Party Conference in Islamabad and a public meeting in Lahore to protest against the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti.

Briefing reporters after an emergency meeting of the Alliance here on Monday, ARD chief Makhdoom Amin Fahim said opposition leaders would offer ‘Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza’ of late Nawab Bugti and his supporters, who died with him in army action, outside the Parliament House after the National Assembly session on Tuesday.

The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal has already called a countrywide strike on Sept 1.

Makhdoom Fahim said the ARD also planned to stage countrywide protests on Aug 30 to condemn the military action in Balochistan. He said peaceful protest rallies would be held throughout the country, allowing people to vent their anger and grief over the tragedy.

The Makhdoom said the ARD would convene an APC in Islamabad on Aug 31 in which opposition parties would finalize future line of action. He said the topic of the APC would be “Akbar Bugti’s Murder: Situation in Balochistan and Pakistan.” He said a public meeting would also be held in Lahore on September 10 to condemn the incident.

Makhdoom Fahim termed Bugti’s murder ‘targeted killing’ and even a ‘Shaheed’ (martyr). Acknowledging Nawab Bugti’s contributions to the country’s creation, he said that he had voted for Pakistan, adding that the Nawab had never said or done anything against Pakistan.

He said that when Mr Bugti became governor and chief minister, he took oaths under the Constitution, pledging that he would defend the national interests. Moreover, he said, Mr Bugti was a part of the ARD which had been struggling for the restoration of democracy and supremacy of the constitution.