News
Strike in Sindh, KP against Soomro’s killing
PESHAWAR/QUETTA: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) on Sunday staged country-wide protests against the assassination of JUI-F leader Dr Khalid Mahmood Soomro who was gunned down by unidentified persons on Saturday. On the call of JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman, most parts of Balochistan, interior Sindh and some areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed strong protests and sit-ins by the party activities, while the traders kept their shops’ shutters down, and traffic was very thin. A complete strike was observed in Sukkur, Larkana and other parts of interior Sindh where roads wore a deserted look, while petrol pumps and other businesses were also shut. The strike was also observed in Othal, Bela, Shahdadkot, Kandhkot, Karachi and other cities, where business activities were suspended while transport was also seen thin. In Karachi, the JUI-F workers staged a protest against the murder at Mauripur Road, Shershah and Super Highway areas, where they blocked the roads, burnt tyres and chanted slogans. A complete shutter-down strike was observed across Balochistan, including in Quetta, Chaman, Ziarat, Dera Murad Jamali, Osta Mohammad, Sibi and other major cities. Trade activities and NATO supplies were also suspended due to strike in Quetta. JUI activists sent back a passenger train that was to travel between Chaman and Quetta.
JUI-F workers staged a sit-in in Hub against the killing, suspending vehicular traffic from and to Balochistan. The Balochistan University postponed the examinations beginning today (Monday). The new dates will be announced later. A large number of religious party’s workers, carrying sticks, stones and party flags in their hands, rallied from Peshawar to the motorway and blocked it with rocks and burning tyres. The protest demonstration created a traffic mess on the highway at Swabi Interchange for several hours as police contingents arrived at the scene to control the situation. The administration held negotiations with the protestors to persuade them to allow the movement of traffic but in vain. The protestors said they would continue their agitation till further orders by the leadership.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk