HYDERABAD, Sept 1: Except for Sanghar and Mirpurkhas districts, the traditional base of the Pakistan Muslim League (Functional), a complete strike was observed in almost all districts of Sindh on Friday on the call of ARD and MMA in protest against the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti and his associates.

Some nationalist parties had also backed the strike call.

No major incident of violence was reported from any town.

In Hyderabad, transport remained off the road and main bazaars and markets were closed in Qasimabad and Hyderabad (rural) talukas.

In City and Latifabad talukas, shops were closed because of the day being Friday.

Education institutes remained closed and attendance in government offices was thin.

Rickshaws and pick-up vans between Hyderabad and Latifabad plied as usual.

Lawyers boycotted court proceedings.

Police picked up five activists of the SNP in Husri for hurling stones on vehicles.

They were later released.

Strike was also observed in Tando Allahyar, Tando Mohammed Khan and Mityari districts.

SUKKUR: A complete strike was observed in Sukkur and Ghotki districts.

Main bazaars and shopping centres in Sukkur city remained closed throughout the day.

Very thin traffic was observed and low attendance was recorded in schools and government offices.

The people remained confined to their homes.

Activists of the PPP, JI, MMA, PML (N), STP and SNF took out a big procession from the Jamia Mosque.

Mushtaq Surhio, MNA Asadullah Bhutto and Nazir Soomro led the protesters.

Leaders condemned the government attitude of not handing over Bugti’s body to heirs.

They said that when the government could enter into dialogue with India, then why it was reluctant to talk to the Baloch.

They demanded that the Supreme Court should take suo motu notice of surreptitious burial of Nawab Bugti and register an FIR against the government.

Main bazaars were closed in Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo, Ubauro and Daharki towns.

In Ghotki, a procession was taken out from the press club to the people’s chowk.

ARD and MMA leaders Sikandar Lakho and Qamar Kolachi led the protesters.

LARKANA: A complete strike was observed in Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts.

Fire crackers explosions were made in different towns of Qambar-Shahdadkot district. No reports of damages had so far been received.

Police and Rangers were on the alert to face any untoward incident.

In Larkana, MMA leaders Hafiz Ahmed Ali Abbasi and Ashique Dhamraho led the procession. Police detained three protestors who allegedly were forcing shopkeepers to lower down the shutters.

They were later released.

Punhal Soomro of the PPP and Wali Mohammed Magsi of the STP led a procession in Qambar.

Roads of the town were closed after burning tyres at different places.

Various processions in the lead of Farooque Soomro of the STP and Waheed Bhatti of the Citizens’ Alliance were taken out in Shahdadkot.

The protesters burnt tyres and explode fire crackers at different places.

They gathered at the Koto-Moto chowk and raised slogans against the government.

A large number of protestors hailing from different villages blocked the Ratodero-Naudero road and closed the road by burning tyres.

JACOBABAD: A complete strike was observed in Kashmore and Jacobabad districts.

Main bazaars in Jacobabad city were closed.

Activists of the ARD and MMA took out procession from the DCO chowk.

The protester carried banners and placards.

They raised slogans against the government.

Dr A.G. Ansari of MMA, Sattar Brohi (PPP), Deedar Lashari (JI), Nazir Mengal and Mehboob Shah spoke on the occasion.

SHIKARPUR: A complete strike was observed in the district. Bazaars and trade centres were closed in the city and its adjoining towns.

Protest rallies were held in Shikarpur and other towns.

The protesters carried banners and raised slogans “stop the operation in Balochistan”.

NAWABSHAH: A complete strike was observed in the city and partial strike was observed in its adjoining towns.

Main markets of city including the Hospital road, Liaquat market, Sarafa market, Mohini bazar, Masjid road and Chakra bazar remained closed and roads gave deserted look.

Petrol pumps in the city also remained closed.

Members of the District Bar Association boycotted court proceedings.

Residents of the 68-Mori also protested against the killing of Nawab Bugti.

Some unidentified people pelted vehicles with stones on the National Highway near Nawab Wali Mohammad village.

A partial strike was observed in Jam Saheb, Daur, Bandhi, Qazi Ahmed and Sakrand towns.

KHAIRPUR: A complete strike was observed in the city and its adjoining towns.

Transport to and from the city remained suspended.

Main markets and bazaars including Shahi Bazar, Ayoub market, vegetable and fruit markets remained closed.

The strike was also observed in Gambat, Pakka Chang, Thari Mirwah, Sobhodero and Kotdiji.

Workers of the JSSF took out procession in Kot Laloo.

The People’s Lawyers’ Forum and office-bearers of the District Bar Association took out a procession from the DBA building.

PLF Sukkur president Liaquat Shar and DBA president Sher Mohammad Shaikh led the protesters.

Lawyers also boycotted court proceedings in Gambat and Thari Mirwah talukas.

Attendance in the Shah Latif University remained thin as its point buses did not play on various routes.

NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: A complete strike was observed in Naushahro Feroze, Moro, Tharushah, Kandiaro, Halani, Padidan and Darya Khan Mari towns. Rallies were held in protest against the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti.

Activists of the ARD and MMA took out a procession in Moro.

PPP leaders Badal Zardari and Akbar Samoo led the protesters.

PPP activists held rallies in Naushahro Feroze, Kandiaro, Halani, Padidan, Darya Khan Mari and Mithiani.

DADU: A complete strike was observed in Jamshoro and Dadu districts.

Transport on the Indus highway and other district roads remained suspended.

Activists of the PPP, PPP-SB, JSQM, JSSF, SNF and MMA took out a protest rally in Khairpur Nathan Shah.

MIRPURKHAS: Main markets and shopping centres remained closed in Mirpurkhas because of the day being Friday.

The strike was observed in 10-mile Mori and Kot Mirs towns where all the shops remained closed.

A protest demonstration was staged in Kot Mirs town.

Mir Munawar Talpur led the protesters.

In other towns of the district, situation remained peaceful.

THATTA: Bazaars, commercial centres, hotels, petrol pumps, rice grinding and husking units and small vendors remained closed in Thatta, Makli, Sujawal, Mirpur Sakro, Mirpur Bathoro, Jati, Chuhar Jamali, Gharo, Gujo, Daro and Bannu towns.

Except for very few vehicles on the National Highway, almost all roads leading to Badin, Hyderabad and within the district wore a deserted look.

In Thatta, some youths burnt tyres on roads.

Groups of people gathered at various chowks and discussed the incident.

They condemned the Musharraf government for preventing the heirs from participating in the funeral prayers of the slain leader.

SANGHAR: All business activities remained normal as no strike was observed in the Sanghar district.

Traffic on roads remained thin and coaches plying between Karachi and Sanghar remained off the road till afternoon.

Strict security arrangements were made and police were deployed on all the sensitive places.

BADIN: Business activities remained suspended in all the towns of the district.

Vehicular traffic linking to eastern towns Diplo, Mithi, Khoski remained thin.