HYDERABAD, March 11: Sindh came to standstill on Friday as complete strike was observed across the province on a call given by the PPP in protest against the removal of National Accountability chairman Syed Deedar Husain Shah on the orders of the Supreme Court.

Processions were taken out, demonstrations were held, token hunger strikes were observed to voice frustration over the decision and educational institutions were closed.

In Hyderabad complete strike was observed in predominantly PPP strongholds in the city.

Traffic remained thin as private transport service mostly remained off the roads. Commuters faced problems in the absence of inter and intra city vehicles. Filling stations also remained closed and so the schools.

A group of activists staged a token hunger strike outside the Hyderabad circuit bench of Sindh High Court. They had also held a demonstration at the same place last night.

People's Labour Bureau Hyderabad division held a demonstration outside the press club and party activists blocked Hyderabad-Tando Mohammad Khan road.

In Shikarpur, PPP activists, including women, took out processions and held demonstrations. The protesters raised slogans against the Chief Justice of Pakistan and condemned the court's decision.

The protesters forced closure of bazaars and shops, burnt tyres on roads and railway tracks, locked railway crossing gates and blocked the roads in city and National Highway.Meanwhile, eight people were wounded in a clash between PPP activists and hotel workers when they asked them to close their hotel at Allah Wala Chowk. Five of the injured were admitted to civil hospital.

Khushhal Khan Khattak express and Sukkur express were halted at Habibkot station over security reasons.

In Nawabshah, unidentified armed men opened fire in areas. Traffic remained thin on roads and commuters faced difficulties.

PPP activists held a demonstration on the Sanghar road and blocked it by burning tyres while some burnt tyres on the National Highway.

Lawyers also boycotted all court proceedings as markets and bazaars remained closed in Daur, Bandhi, Qazi Ahmed, Sakrand, Doulatpur and other places.

In Dadu, shopkeepers scuffled with club-wielding activists when they forced them to close their shops on the College road. Later, the shopkeepers held a demonstration outside the press club in protest against the activists.

PPP's call for strike drew little response in Khairpur Nathan Shah and Mehar towns. In Mehar, activists took out a procession and in Jamshoro, PPP activists took out a procession and forced closure of shops.

In Mirpurkhas, a complete shutter-down strike was observed following incidents of aerial firing by some armed men early in the morning.

Partial strike was observed in Sanghar although some activists resorted to aerial firing in different parts of the town to force shopkeepers to pull down shutters.

In Mithi, Nausharo Feroze and adjoining towns a complete shutter-down strike was observed while in Mehrabpur, Bhirya Road, Padidan, some shops remained opened.

In Badin, lawyers remained divided over boycott of court proceedings while Thatta observed partial strike. A few dozen party activists blocked the main highways in Thatta, Sujawal, Mirpur Bathoro, Gharo, Darro and other towns by putting boulders and setting ablaze tyres.

PPP workers on motorbikes repeatedly asked shopkeepers in Thatta bazaar and commercial centres to close their businesses but they appeared reluctant to follow their advice.

In Umerkot and Larkana, a complete shutter-down strike was observed and PPP activists demonstrated outside the press club.

Strike was also observed in Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki, Pano Akil, Kandhkot, Kashmore, Thull, Jacobabad and other towns of upper Sindh

In Mirpur Mathelo, lawyers boycotted courts on the call of People's Lawyers' Forum and a partial strike was observed in Sukkur city.