Chemists observe strike

Published July 30, 2003

PESHAWAR, July 29: The city chemists observed a strike on Tuesday to protest against firing by an ASI in which two of their colleagues were wounded on Monday night.

Shops near the Lady Reading Hospital remained closed, except for a few ones that were allowed by the Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association to provide medicines to the critically ill-patients.

According to chemists, ASI Anwar Gul of the Kabuli police station had resorted to firing following a brawl with a chemist, Saadullah Shah, over some issue on Monday night. Saadullah and his cousin, Maulvi Bashir Ahmad suffered injuries and were taken to the nearby Lady Reading Hospital.

The ASI ran away and shopkeepers, most of them druggists, started pulling down their shutters in protest.

Later, the ASI was suspended by the police high-ups, but chemists observed a strike on Tuesday, demanding his arrest.

Police officials told Dawn that arrest warrant for the ASI had been issued.