QUETTA: Strike was observed in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan on Tuesday on the call of both factions of the Jamhoori Watan Party, Baloch National Front and Baloch Republican Party to commemorate the 8th death anniversary of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

Nawab Bugti was killed in the firing by security forces in the Dera Bugti district on Aug 26, 2006.

The strike was also observed in some other parts of Balochistan, including Chagai, Nushki, Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, Hub town, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar, Kharan, Sibi, Nasirabad and Dera Bugti.

All transport services between Quetta and Karachi, Quetta and Taftan and Quetta and Jacobabad remained suspended from morning till evening as buses, coaches, trucks and private vehicles stayed off the roads.

References were held and processions taken out in different districts and towns to pay homage and to highlight services and struggle of Nawab Bugti for the rights for Balochistan people.

They said that the late Nawab never compromised on resources and coast of Balochistan and reamaind steadfast and firm on the rights of Balochistan.

At different meetings, gatherings and rallies staged to mark the occasion, speakers said that Nawab Bugti played a vital role in the struggle of political groups and parties in the 60s against the One Unit, military dictatorship and usurpation of rights of provinces.

They said that the founder of the JWP rendered great sacrifices but never bowed down before oppressors and dictators and always stood on the side of the oppressed people to protect democracy, constitutional rule and provincial autonomy.

Paying tribute to Mr Bugti, they pledged to continue their struggle to accomplish the mission of late Baloch leader to protect the rights of Balochistan people.

GWADAR: A complete strike was observed in different cities and towns of Mekran, Kalat and Nasirabad divisions to mark the death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti.

All business centres’, shops and markets and remained closed in Gwadar, Pasni, Jawani, Peshkan, Turbat, Mand, Tump and Panjgur on Tuesday.

Traffic also remained suspended between Gwadar and other towns and cities of the Mekran division.

A heavy contingent of police, FC and Levies continued patrolling through all main roads and streets. Security personnel were also deployed on all important government buildings and installations.

MURAD JAMALI: A complete shutter-down strike was observed in Dear Murad Jamali, Dera Allahyar, Usta Mohammad, Sobatpur and other towns of Nasirabad division. All shops and business centres remained closed in memory of late Nawab Akbar Bugti.

The Jamhoori Watan Party (Aali group) took out a procession in Dera Murad Jamali, which marched through various roads and streets of the divisional headquarters.

Addressing the rally, the District President of the JWP (Aali group), Abdul Sattar Shar, and General Secretary, Elahi Bakhsh, paid rich tribute to Nawab Bugti and said that he struggled throughout his life for the rights of the people of Balochistan.

They urged the people to fallow-in the footsteps of Mr Bugti who sacrificed his life for the rights of the people of Balochistan.

They said that the JWP (Aali group) would continue Nawab Bugti’s struggle for the rights of the Balochistan people.

KHUZDAR: All bazaars, shops, business establishments and shopping centres remained closed in Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, Kharan, Washuk, Hub and other towns of Kalat division in connection with the death anniversary of Nawab Bugti.

Strict security arrangements were made in Kalat, Khuzdar,

Mastung and other towns during strike to avert any untoward incident. Traffic remained suspended between Khuzdar and other towns.

Attendance in government offices remained thin and most of the vehicles stayed off the road. However, no untoward incident was reported from any part of the Kalat division during the strike.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2014