JSQM strike: Complete shutter-down in interior Sindh

JSQM alleges Qureshi’s remains were tampered with at the government lab and called it a conspiracy.

KARACHI: A complete shutter-down strike was witnessed in interior Sindh following the call by Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM). The strike, which was supported by other nationalist parties, was called against the government delay in the chemical examination of viscera taken from the body of JSQM leader Bashir Qureshi.

The party alleged that Qureshi’s remains were tampered with at the government lab and called it a conspiracy.

JSQM demanded that examination be held at a reputable private hospital but the government sent the remains to chemico-Bacteriological Laboratory on MA Jinnah Road, which not only lacks facilities to conduct the examination but also has no expert pathologists or bio-chemists.

Towns and cities of Sindh were at a stand-still and roads were deserted. There were reports of cracker blasts and firing in different towns and cities, and scattered traffic was seen on the National and Super highways.

Unrest and tensions were reported from sub-urban areas of Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Kamber Shahdadkot, Khairpur Badin and other districts where activists of JSQM and other nationalist parties staged sit ins, protested and set tyres on fire.

Unidentified men set a dumper and truck on fire near Malir and Khokharpar. Meanwhile, shutter-down was witnessed in Gulshan-e- Hadeed, Sachal Goth, Rehri, Ibhrahim Hyderi, Ghaghar Phattak, Bhains Colony, Safora and Gulistan-e-Jauhar and other areas.

Three train compartments were set on fire in Kotri by unidentified men on Tuesday night.

Education boards have postponed the exams to be held today in Hyderabad, Sukkur, larkana, Mirpurkhas and other districts.

Niaz Kalani, acting chairman of JSQM told The Express Tribune that they had called for a peaceful strike, but some people were trying to defame their party. “We believe in the non-violence philosophy of GM Syed and have nothing to do with firing and arson incidents being reported in Sindh,” he said.

On the other hand, Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan told the media that the government would meet JSQM’s demand, saying, “Bashir Qureshi was my friend who worked more than us for the cause of Sindh. We will provide justice to the family and party of Bashir Qureshi.”

It may be mentioned here that the leadership of JSQM alleged that Bashir Qureshi who passed away on April 7 had been poisoned in Sakrand, Benazirabad district. They demand an impartial inquiry into the murder.