KARACHI, Dec 5: The National Party will start the second phase of its campaign by setting up hunger strike camps in Balochistan and Karachi on December 7, the day President Musharraf pays a visit to the province.

The NP said it will protest against what it called the anti-Baloch policies of the government. An NP spokesman said hunger strike camps would be set up in all district headquarters and the party’s legislators, office-bearers, local bodies members and workers will participate. The NP gave a strike call last month as well when the President visited Gwadar.

The Balochistan National Party headed by Sardar Akhtar Mengal said it would also observe a black day to protest the killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and mega projects and cantonments in the province.

The government foiled the BNP’s long march call from Gwadar to Quetta scheduled for November 30 by arresting its key leaders including party chief. The action was condemned by the BNP-M and other nationalist parties who protested by observing a two-day strike.

Both nationalist parties, feel large scale projects like Gwadar deep-sea port scheme and construction of cantonments are another form of subjugation serving the centre government but offering little benefit to Baloch people.

In Karachi, the NP plans to hold a camp outside Karachi Press Club. The NP Senior Vice-President Sardar Sanaullah Khan Zehri who is also chief of Jhalwan, MPA Jan Mohammad Buledi, former senator Tahir Bizenjo and several workers.

NP President Dr Hayee Baloch, Secretary-General Hasil Khan Bizenjo and Opposition leader in Balochistan Assembly will lead the hunger strike camp in Quetta.

In Gwadar, Senator Dr Abdul Malik, central leader advocate Shakil Baloch along with party office-bearers and workers will lead the hunger strike camp. The NP has also planned to stage a hunger-strike camp in Turbat and Hub.