KARACHI, Sept 1: The provincial chapter of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy termed Friday's strike an "emphatic rejection of the autocratic rulers" and thanked the people for their overwhelming support.
Speaking at a news conference at the People’s Secretariat, president of the opposition alliance Zain Ansari said the strike was a clear verdict against the military-led regime of Gen Pervez Musharraf as people expressed abhorrence against the rulers and their anti-people policies.
He congratulated the people for observing a peaceful strike throughout the province.
Zain Ansari, who was flanked by other component parties’ leaders, lashed out at the government for the burial of Nawab Akber Bugti in a locked coffin box sans his family members, which, he said, was against the Islamic norms.
“General Zia had handed the body of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to his legal heirs, but General Pervez Musharraf has violated all established civilised human and Islamic norms and did not hand over the body of late Baloch veteran leader to his family members”, he said.
The leader of Alliance for Restoration of Democracy claimed that the prevailing situation was more volatile than of 1971 when the country was dismembered due to indifferent attitude of the then military junta and said now the cloud of danger was once again hovering over the country and the military junta was again trying to resolve the political issue at gunpoint.
He condemned the use of teargas and violence on the peaceful people of Lyari and adjoining areas, who were protesting against the killing and burial of Nawab Akber Bugti without the permission of his family.
Zain Ansari alleged that the government’s ally Muttaheda Qaumi Movement (MQM) had forced the people in Mirpurkhas and Sukkur to open their shops though the people were voluntarily observing the strike in these cities.
He claimed that strike was beginning of anti-government movement, which, he said, would continue till ouster of Musharraf-led regime.
Speaking on the occasion, Awami National Party, Sindh chapter president Shahi Syed said his party was with combined opposition and would participate in anti-government movement.
Those who were present on the occasion included President PPP Karachi Rashid Rabbani, general secretary Rafique Engineer, deputy provincial information secretary PPP Waqar Mehdi, acting president PML (N) Sindh Salem Zia, President Jamhoori Watan Party Sher Mohammad Baloch and others.