Protest: Balochistan shut on Bugti death anniversary

No incident of violence was reported from any part of the province.


Shezad Baloch August 27, 2011
Protest: Balochistan shut on Bugti death anniversary

QUETTA:


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.

COMMENTS (7)

Nadir Ali | 13 years ago | Reply

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.

Arsalan | 13 years ago | Reply I have been to his area. He got lots of money from PPL and SNG but the area & people looked from stone age. Bugti was arrogant and authoritarian. His sons and grand sons use to fear him. Sadly, He was playing in the hands of enemies of Pakistan in the last 1-2 years of his life. He met his fate, but he killed many officers and his tribesmen along.
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