PESHAWAR, Nov 19: A strike will be observed by the Jamaat-i-Islami across the NWFP on Nov 23 against the imposition of emergency rule in the country. This was announced by the acting provincial general-secretary of Jamaat-i-Islami, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, at a press conference on Monday. He said that protest rallies would be organised and highways would be blocked in the province. Black flags and banners would be put up on houses.

He urged other political parties to participate in the rallies. He said the JI could give a call for countrywide protest any time and other political parties would be taken into confidence regarding it.

Expressing concern over the prevailing situation in Swat district, he said that Gen Musharraf had launched a military operation in the Malakand region on the directives of the US government.

He said the military operation had affected economic and social activities in Swat and demanded the government to halt action in the area. He said the Swat issue could be resolved through negotiations.

The political administration should engage true representatives of the people in the peace process, he added.