HYDERABAD, April 14: Almost all cities and towns of Sindh were paralysed on Friday by strike in protest against the Nishtar Park carnage and arrest of JSQM leader Dr Safdar Sarki.
Strike calls were given by the Jamaat Ahl-i-Sunnat and the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz.
Special prayers were offered for victims of the Nishtar Park tragedy at Friday congregations.
Different parties including those in the ARD and MMA held rallies and condolence meetings.
In Hyderabad, a complete shutter-down strike was observed.
All business centres and markets were closed both in Urdu-speaking areas and Sindhi localities of the city.
The city roads wore a deserted look in absence of vehicular traffic. No transport plied between the Sindh capital and other towns. The attendance in offices remained thin.
Reports reaching here from Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari and Jamshoro districts said that a complete strike was observed throughout these districts.
SUKKUR: The city and its adjoining areas witnessed a partial shutter-down strike and protest rallies.
Religious leaders demanded that the Sindh home minister should tender his resignation because he had failed to maintain law and order.
LARKANA: Traffic on roads and attendance in offices were thin.
Rangers and police held a flag march. Petrol pumps and small roadside huts were closed in the two districts.
Workers of the Sunni Tehrik held Quran Khawani at Pakistan chowk to pray for the departed souls.
The PPP also took out a procession from the Kennedy Market and after marching on main roads of City assembled outside the district council hall.
Activists of the JSQM took out processions in Larkana, Ratodero, Qambar and Shahdadkot and demanded that the government should disclose whereabouts of Dr Safdar Sarki.
NAWABSHAH: A complete shutter-down strike was observed in the district against the Nishtar Park carnage and arrest of Dr Safdar Sarki.
All main markets in the city, including Sarafa bazar, Liaquat market, Mohini bazar, Trunk bazar, Hospital road, Kuatchehry road, Masjid road, Gharibabad, Buchheri road and Sakrand road remained closed.
Strike was also observed in Sakrand, Daur, Bandhi, Qazi Ahmed and their adjoining areas.
KHAIRPUR: A complete strike was observed in eight talukas of the district.
All the main bazaars including Shahi bazar and vegetable market remained closed.
A procession was taken out from the Jilani House which marched on different roads of the city.
JSQM activists took out a rally from Chhatti chowk which marched on different roads.
Processions were also taken out in Gambat, Ranipur, Kingri, Faiz Ganj and other towns of the district.
THATTA: Sunni Tehrik’s and JSQM’s calls for strike received a positive response in the district.
Main bazaars and commercial centres in Thatta, Sujawal, Mirpur Sakro, Gharo, Mirpur Bathoro, Jati, Chuhar Jamali and Daro remained closed.
In Sujawal, Sunni Tehrik activists took out a procession.
Participants halted at the main chowk where leaders delivered speeches.
In Gharo, police acted against protesters of the JSQM who attempted to block the National Highway.
After a minor of scuffle between police and activists, the protesters changed their route.
In two sporadic incidents, two JSQM activists sustained minor injuries while dodging police in Daro and Bathoro towns.
NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: A complete shutter-down strike was observed in Naushahro Feroze, Moro, Mithiani, Tharushah, Padidan, Bhirya road, Kandiaro, Mehrabpur and Darya Khan Mari.
Rallies were also taken out in Kandiaro and Naushahro Feroze.
On the call by the JSQM, a complete shutter-down strike was observed in Padidan.
Activists of the PPP led by MNA Zafar Ali Shah took out a rally in Naushahro Feroze condemning killing of Ulema in Nishtar Park.
BADIN: A complete strike was observed in Badin and other towns of the district.
Some people burnt tyres on Seerani road and Gharibabad in the morning. JSQM activists also took out rally and marched on the city roads.
They were demanding immediate release of Dr Safdar Sarki.
Strike was also observed in Tando Bago, Kadhan, Golarchi, Talhar, Matli, Pangrio and adjoining small towns.
SHIKARPUR: A complete strike was observed in the district against bomb blast in Nishtar Park and arrest of JSQM leader Safdar Sarki.
Bazaars and business centres remained closed in Shikarpur, Lakhi, Garhi Yasin, Dakhan, Madeji, Chak, Khanpur and other main towns and villages in the district.
Protest rallies and demonstrations were held by Jamaat Ahl-e-Sunnat, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Jamat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan and Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz.
DADU: complete strike was observed in the district. Sunni Tehrik and JUI activists took out a procession.
They were led by Maulana Abdul Waheed Qureshi and Moulana Mohammad Azeem Mahessar.
Strike was also observed in Johi, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Sehwan and Mehar.
Police arrested two JSQM activists Iqbal Deshi and Asif Khan from Dadu.
MIRPURKHAS: A complete shutter-down strike was observed in the district third consecutive day.
All shopping centres, markets, hotels and petrol pumps remained closed and traffic was thin.
Strike was also observed in Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Tando Jan Mohammad, Jhuddo, Naukot, Kot Ghulam Mohammad, Samaro, Kunri, Umerkot, Pithoro and Shadi Palli.
SANGHAR: A partial strike was observed in the district on Friday. Shops in Tando Adam and Shahdadpur remained closed. Special prayers were offered in mosques.
PPP activists took out a procession in Shahdadpur which started from the station road and terminated at the press club.
MITHI: A complete shutter-down was observed here on Friday on the call of Jamaat Ahl-i-Sunnat against Nishtar Park incident.
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