HYDERABAD, May 13: Activists of political parties in the opposition observed a black day and held rallies across the province on Sunday in protest against the government’s failure to rein in armed miscreants in Karachi.

The protesters wore black armbands, staged sit-ins and token hunger strikes.

On the other hand, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) observed a day of mourning and held Quran khwanis in several cities.

Reports of partial strike were received from different parts of the province while police detained scores of Awami Tehrik activists on charges of forcing shopkeepers to close their shops.

In Hyderabad, markets remained partially closed in different parts of the city and Latifabad while a complete strike was observed in Qasimabad in response to call for strike given by Awami Tehrik.

City and Cantonment police arrested several AT activists and field two cases under sections 147, 148, 149, 506(II) and 341 PPC against them.

The Hyderabad chapter of the Muttahida Majli-i-Amal set up a hunger strikers’ camp outside the local press club, which was later joined by leaders and activists of other opposition parties.

MMA leaders criticised MQM for staging the rally on May 12 and blamed adviser to chief minister on home department for deceiving people who were being gunned down.

NAWABSHAH: The Nawabshah chapter of the PPP observed a black day and staged a hunger strike outside the press club. Party leaders Ghulam Qadir Chandio and Imdad Dhamrah blamed the Sindh government for acts of terrorism in Karachi.

They said that 16 PPP workers and activists of other opposition parties were killed in what they termed as battlefield staged by MQM in connivance with the government.

Later, they offered Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza of the deceased people and announced the party would observe a shutter-down strike on Monday.

The members of Jamiat Tuleba-i-Islam held a demonstration outside the press club against killings and attack on the offices of a private news channel.

MIRPURKHAS: Activists of PPP, JSQM, SNF and AT staged a joint rally, which started from the railway station chowk in protest against killing of innocent people in Karachi and attack on Aaj TV channel while the MQM observed the day as a day of mourning.

The joint opposition rally marched on main roads of the city before reaching the press club.

PPP’s Ali Akbar Panwhar accused MQM of involvement in the killings and demanded that the government should take action against them.

SNF's Asghar Narejo said that MQM deliberately raised hurdles by scheduling its rally to sabotage the visit of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

DADU: Complete strike was observed in Dadu, Mehar, Sehwan, Jamshoro, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Johi and Kotri towns in response to the AT’s call for strike in protest against killing of party activist Mohammad Nawaz Karnani and activists of other political parties. Over 300 women activists of Sindhiani Tehrik and AT led by district president Mumtaz Bhand staged a rally and a demonstration outside the press club.

Mr Bhand blamed the gunmen of MQM killed AT activist Mohammad Nawaz Karnani and other activists. Meanwhile, two scores of PPP activists staged a rally in Dadu against Karachi incident. AT activists also staged rallies in Kotri and Mehar towns.

THATTA: Complete strike was observed on the call of AT on Sunday while the PPP, AT, STP, MMA, JSQM staged a procession in protest against violence in Karachi. They also staged a sit-in on the National Highway.

In Gharo, ARD activists staged a big procession while partial strike was observed in Daro, Gharo, Jati, Mirpur Bathoro and Jhoke Sharif.

Speakers held MQM responsible for Saturday's incidents and said that the party was playing into the hands of Gen Pervez Musharraf.

JACOBABAD: The ARD and the MMA staged a joint rally against Saturday's incidents in Karachi.

Led by Dr. A. G. Ansari of JUI-F, PPP's Rafique Ahmed Veesar and Abdul Sattar, JI’s Deedar Lashari, MMA's Hafiz Mir Mohammad Bunglani and STP's Dilmurad Lashari scores of activists blocked main Super Highway connecting Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan. They also burnt an effigy of MQM chief Altaf Hussain and MQM flags.

The leaders held MQM responsible for what they called massacre of innocent people in Karachi.

AT activists staged a rally in Thull against killing of party workers. They demanded registration of case against governor of Sindh and MQM leaders.

KHAIRPUR: Activists of SPSF and AT staged separate processions in Khairpur and Thari Mirwah against killings of political workers in Karachi and attack on SPSF Sindh president Mohammad Suleman Dasti.

SPSF district president Faqir Zakir Hussain Hisbani slammed the government and MQM ministers for giving a freehand to the miscreants and termed the killings as shameful and exposing the real face of MQM.

They accused MQM's armed workers of involvement in the killing of Sindhi nationalist leaders and Mohammad Nawaz Karnani.

NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: AT activists staged a rally and sit-in outside the press club in Naushahro Feroze and Moro.

AT workers in Moro took out rallies and staged sit-ins outside the local press clubs. They alleged that Saturday's violence was part of a pre-planned conspiracy against democracy, independence of judiciary and people by the government and its allies.

In Moro, shopping and trade centres remained closed up to 2pm.

SPSF activists staged a demonstration opposite the press club in Tharushah.

In Naushahro Feroze, several workers of Jamiat-i-Tuleba-i-Islam staged a rally and a demonstration outside the local press club condemning government for the killings.

LARKANA: Several political parties including Sunni Tehrik (ST) protested against Karachi carnage in demonstrations on Sunday.

PPP leaders held MQM and government responsible and said that 15 party workers were killed but Rangers and police stood by as spectators.

ST leaders also blamed MQM for Karachi killings and demanded arrest of the killers of worker Suhail Qadri who was killed in Karachi.

Activists of AT and STP said that government itself had ignited riots and targeted opponents.

They distributed pamphlets among traders asking them to keep their business shut on Monday as sign of protest against the Karachi incident.

SHIKARPUR: Activists of ARD and other opposition parties observed black day on Sunday in protest against Karachi killings. The protesters wore black armbands and announced they would observe a strike on Monday.

MITHI: Activists of AT staged a rally against Karachi killings outside the local press club while partial strike was observed in response to AT’s call for shutter-down strike and a black day by STP