A general strike was observed in most parts of Balochistan on Friday to mark the fifth death anniversary of veteran Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti, paralysing the civic life and business activities for the day.
The former governor and chief minister, Nawab Akbar Bugti, was assassinated along with 33 other comrades during a military action near Teratani, an area between Kohlu and Dera Bugti, on August 26, 2006.
The strike call was jointly given by the Baloch Republican Party (BRP), Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP-Talal and Aali groups) and backed by the Balochistan National Party (BNP), National Party (NP), Jaamat-i-Islami, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
All shops and markets on the Jinnah Road, Joint Road, Zarghoon Road, Prince Road, Saryab Road, Mezan Chowk and Shahra-i-Iqbal remained closed. Roads and streets wore a deserted look as medical stores and banks were also closed, while public transport also remained off the road.
No incident of violence was reported from any part of the province.
Dozens of activists of the Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP-Aali) staged a protest demonstration in front of the Quetta Press Club.
“The government is not serious in carrying out any investigation, which is why there has been no progress in this regard despite the lapse of two years,” said Jamil Bugti whose house was recently raided by security forces.
A complete shutter-down strike was observed in Khuzdar, Kech, Kalat, Mastung, Lasbela, Kharan, Washuk, Panjgur, Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara, Tump, Hub, Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Sibi, Harnai.
Karachi protest
Members of Jamhoori Wattan Party (Karachi chapter) held a demonstration in front of the Karachi Press Club. Muhammad Nawaz Inqilabi , a JWP member, said his party was seeking justice for the Bugti tribe. (WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY MADIHA ASIF)
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2011.
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President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the government has taken concrete steps to bring an end to sense of deprivation among the people of Balochistan and this would lead to positive results. It is not mere a lip service. Government has already announced Aghaz-e- Balochistan package, which is not only a package to facilitate Balochis and compensate their deprivations but it is also a part of Govt strategy to make Pakistan strong. Every one is aware of the fact that the dictatorial regime under General Pervez Musharraf failed to address the Balcohistan issue. Even he added fuel to fire and tried to disintegrate Pakistan. He exacerbated the problem by exercising force to muzzle the voice of Balochis. On the other hand Zardari has not only apologizedfro the past wrong done to the province but also established a parliamentary committee to recommend reforms package for Balochistan. The recent statement of President Zardari and announcement of packages, several infra structure projects and on card peace talks with insurgents represents several things, that the democratic Govt is alive to the criticality of the problems Pakistan facing today and second one Govt is resolving it through parliamentary forum which is clear sign of democracy in the country and departure of autocracy from Pakistan.
and the biggest black mailer in the history of this country is called a national hero .. ironic aint it .But then we call Benazir shaheed. I ask all Baluchi bhais out there what has Nawab Akbar bugti done for you . I know the atrocities that Baluchistan is facing and i dont condone it but what has this man done for you???
@Arsalan: whatever helps you sleep at night!
Nawab Bugti's martyrdom completely change the situation of Balochistan, I used to sing the Pakistani anthem and celebrate 14th august but after Nawab's martyrdom i regret to sing it and instead of celebrating 14aug I observe it as "Blackday" and same goes for every Baloch. Rest in peace.
Balochistan Zindagbaat ..I never met him and never saw him but I loved him because of his great charismatic personality. Bugti Sahab was a great Pakistani. He was an ex-Interior Minister and ex-Governor. The question is why he was brought to a stage where he had to hide in a cave? May be he was genuinely afraid that he will be arrested and disgraced. No man of his stature would tolerate that. Nawab Bugti, his followers and the army officers were sacrificed to Mr. Musharraf's ego.
It is good thing that no violence took place.
Nawab was not assassinated as mentioned above.
He killed himself and took along number of Army officers who went in the cave for negotiations and the Nawab or some of his man initiated hug blast taking whole cave down.
Media is trying to sell which may get good price/attention but facts are different.