LARKANA: A complete shutdown was observed in most areas of the interior of Sindh on Thursday in response to a province-wide strike call given by the Qaumi Awami Tehreek (QAT) and supported by most political parties and nationalist groups to condemn Mutthida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain’s statement regarding a separate province for Mohajirs.

All markets, bazaars, commercial areas and shops in Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts remained closed and public transport stayed off the roads and highways. A few private vehicles were seen plying on roads in towns.

QAT activists Sajid Mahisar, Jamil Memon and others carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the MQM chief and division of Sindh assembled outside Jinnahbagh and raised slogans for the integrity of Sindh at any cost.

In Qambar town, Ayaz Chandio and Mohsin Chandio led separate processions to register public fury over a move to divide Sindh. The participants gathered outside the local press club, burnt tyres and raised slogans to condemn the move.

SUKKUR: The strike call also received a positive response from people of Jacobabad district where no business establishments, markets, bazaars and shops opened on Thursday morning and vehicular traffic on roads and intercity routes remained thin.

Protest rallies were taken out by QAT, Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party (STP) and other nationalist organisations in different cities and towns of the district.

Rallies to condemn the MQM move were also taken out in Kandhkot and Thull towns where a complete strike was observed.

THATTA: All markets, bazaars, commercial outlets and shops across Thatta and Sujawal districts remained closed throughout the day in response to the QAT call for a Sindh-wide strike on Thursday.

DADU: A complete shutdown was observed in Dadu, Johi, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Mehar, Sehwan, Sann, Kotri, Jamshoro, Thana Bula Khan, Nooriabad and other owns as well as villages across Dadu district.

No vehicle was seen moving as fuel stations stayed shut and transport operators did not bring their vehicles on roads. Private vehicles also did no ply while intercity routes wore a deserted look.

People in Thatta, Makli, Gharo, Buhara, Mirpur Sakro, Keti Bun­der, Jherruck, Mirpur Bathoro, Jati, Sujawal, Chuhar Jamali, Jhoke Sharif, Banno, Darro and all other big and small towns mostly remained indoors and not a single vending stall was seen open.

QAT and Sindhiani Tehreek activists including Mitha Khan Lashari, Anwar Palari, Shah Moham­med Chang, Husna Nahiyo and Sakina Memon led protest rallies in Thatta and vowed to frustrate all MQM moves to divide Sindh.

They staged a demonstration outside the local press club where the leaders declared that Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal and all districts were and would remain integral parts of Sindh and nobody would be allowed to separate any part of Sindh from its territory for any reason.

They said the people of Sindh fully understood the conspiracy behind the demand for a separate province or state from within Sindh. The dream of vested interests would never come true, they said.

The Sujawal Bypass, Makli Bypassand Thatta-Hyderabad section of the National Highway were blocked with concrete boulders and other barricades. Protesters also staged sit-ins on the deserted roads and the highway.

QAT activists took out rallies and staged demonstrations in different towns. Dadu QAT leaders Mumtaz Bhand, Bago Bhand and Abbas Solangi led protests in the city and condemned moves to divide Sindh and vowed to strongly resist such designs.

NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: A complete strike was observed in Naushahro Feroze, Moro, Mithani, Padidan, Darya Khan Marri, Bhiria City, Mehrabpur, Halani and other towns and villages on Thursday to condemn the MQM demand for division of Sindh.

BADIN: All business, trade and commercial activities across Badin district remained suspended and vehicular traffic stayed off the roads and highway in response to the QAT call for a shutdown against demand for Sindh division.

All markets, bazaars, shops and vending stalls were shut in Badin, Matli, Tando Bago, Nindo Shahar, Tando Bago, Talhar, Kario Ghanwar, Golarchi and other cities and towns while roads and streets wore a deserted look.

QAT and Sindhyani Tehreek activists led by Adovocate Ram Kolhi, Kamaran Lakho, Marvi Baloch, Amna Khaskheli and others led rallies in Badin city to condemn the MQM for constantly working for division of Sindh.

Participants in the rallies marched on various roads and converged on Qazia Wah bridge, where they staged a demonstration and torched an effigy of MQM chief Altaf Hussain to express their anger over his demand.

SHIKARPUR: The QAT strike call drew a positive response across Shikarpur district where trade, business, commercial and other routine activities in cities, towns and villages remained suspended and vehicular traffic stayed off the road.

Nationalist groups organised protest rallies and demonstrations in various towns and raised slogans against the MQM and its leadership for demanding a separate province for Mohajirs.

QAT activists Zahid Bhambhro, Zahid Ghaloo, Abdul Qadeer Soomro led a rally held at Lakhi Dar Clock Tower, where participants burned tyres and junk to register their protest.

They called for a vigorous movement in Sindh against the MQM to foil the conspiracy to divide the province.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2014