Complete shutter down strike observed in Baloch majority areas on arrival of President Musharraf

QUETTA: Complete shutter down strike was observed in Baloch majority areas on the arrival of President Musharraf in Quetta on Thursday.

The shutter down call was observed on the call of BNP (Mengal) and National Party.

On the arrival of President Musharraf in Quetta, BNP Mengal and other nationalist parties of Balochistan announced for a complete shutter down strike against the death of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, ongoing military operation in Balochistan and arrest of political leaders and observing the day as Black Day.

In this regard, complete shutter down was observed in Baloch majority areas including Siryab road, Barori road, Hadda and other surrounding areas that of Mastung, Qalat, Khazdar, Noshaki, Dalbadin, Vidh, Turbat, Gwadar and Pinjghor.

On the other hand, black flags were hovering on top of public transport vehicles and flying high on buildings.

It is pertinent to mention that various nationalist parties fully supported BNP (Mengal) in this regard.

Heavy contingent of police was present at all the sensitive areas including Khazdar and Kalat where raiding teams arrested more than 60 persons including from BNP and National Party activists.

According to information received from Hub, unknown personnel fired rockets at Hub, however no loss of life or property was reported.

Meanwhile police have arrested 13 people along with General Secretary National Party Mir Hasil, MPA Rehmat Ali Baloch, Former Senator Aslam Beladi and Abdul Wahid Baloch for staging a hunger strike camp as protest against the arrival of President Musharraf and arrest of several political activists in the province on the death of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

Talking to reporters, Mir Hasil said that National party has raised its voice against the unconstitutional and unlawful measures in the province.

He said that whenever President will come to Balochistan, we will stage a protest demonstration as we consider President Musharraf responsible for the martyrdom of several Balochis including Nawab Akbar Bugti.

We will never forgive those individuals who are welcoming the President and in turn making people of Balochistan live a more miserable life, he said we condemn the arrest of our activists who were arrested last night from Khazdar and Kalat and demand their immediate release.

Meanwhile stringent security measures were taken on the arrival of President Musharraf in Quetta.

Traffic was on a slow side and alternative routes were used to divide the traffic equally.

Heavy contingent of police and rangers guarded the sensitive areas while on the other hand common people had to wait for long hours as some of the roads were completely blocked in this connection.