MANSEHRA/ABBOTTABAD, May 1: Differences between Soba Hazara Tehrik (SHT) and Tehrik-i-Soba Hazara (TSH) marred a wheel jam strike in upper parts of Hazara, as transporters and traders on Tuesday ignored the call and said they would never support a strike until the two factions get united.

SHT chairman Sardar Mohammad Yousuf had given the strike call in support of Hazara province the other day. Baba Haider Zaman, leading the TSH, kept his activists away from the strike. Resultantly, the strike remained confined to road blockades by the SHT activists, while general support for the strike largely remained missing.

Protesters, however, blocked Karakoram Highway in Battle, Shinkiary, Ichrian and Mansehra for about two hours early in the day. The Balakot-Mansehra road was also blocked in Balakot where protesters raised slogans in favour of Hazara province. Besides, a rally was also taken out in Mansehra. Meanwhile, the traders and transporters held a meeting in Mansehra to decide their own strategy.

Speaking on the occasion, president of traders’ body Haroonur Rasheed and president of transporters association Jan Alam and others said that until the two factions of Tehrik were united they would not support any strike call. They observed that if Mr Yousuf was sincere with the cause of Hazara province his son and minister of state Sardar Shahjahan Yousuf and PM’s advisor Syed Qasim Shah should tender resignation from their posts.

The traders and transporters’ representatives said that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani should announce Hazara province along with the Seraiki province.

Traders and transporters in Abbottabad city also ignored the strike call. However, activists of the SHT blocked the main Karakorum Highway at Fawara Chowk where its leaders addressed the gathering.

A large number of commuters were seen walking on foot due to closer of the main KKH, as the traffic remained blocked near Sabzi Mandi, the entry point of Abbottabad. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yousaf, SHT chairman, vowed to continue their struggle till achieving the status of a separate province for Hazara. Amanullah Khan Jadoon, Sardar Mohammad Yaqoub, and Abdur Razzaq also spoke on the occasion.