AT worker killed as nationalists strike out against new system

PML-F makes history by protesting with nationalists, lawyers boycott court.

SUKKUR/ HYDERABAD/ KARACHI:

As Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah shook hands over the new local government ordinance, the nationalists were furious.

Within hours, Sindh United Party (SUP) chief Jalal Mahmood Shah announced that they would protest against the ‘black ordinance’ and organise a wheel-jam strike across the province. However, after the fire at a garment factory in Baldia Town where nearly 258 people died, those in favour of the strike, including the Awami National Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, withdrew their support. Instead, they endorsed  calls for observing a day of mourning.

However, the nationalists, including Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party (STPP) and Awami Tehreek (AT), said that they would not back down but would pay their respects to those who lost their lives.

The situation seemed to take a violent turn in Hyderabad as an activist of the AT, Shahdat Jarwar, was killed during a protest in Mirpurkhas. Four workers of the Pakistan Mumlism League-Functional (PML-F) and Baloch Ittehad were also injured at the same rally.

The AT’s general secretary, Anwar Soomro, demanded a judicial inquiry into the attack. He said that the party would observe a day of mourning for Jarwar and would continue to protest against the ordinance. The police registered an FIR on a complaint from Jarwar’s father, Murad.

Reports claim that over two dozen people were injured in Hyderabad and Shaheed Benzirabad. The nationalists claim that around 125 workers across the province were arrested.

In Hyderabad, four nationalists identified as Raja Bhatti, Sunny Bhatti, Zaheer Lashari and Noman Junejo were shot at by unidentified men in Latifabad. A rickshaw driver, Shahbaz Khan, and Dial Sarai, who is affiliated with the AT, was injured in a cross-fire in Qasimabad. Wilayat Ali, a truck driver, was also injured on the Hyderabad Bypass.

The day started off with sit-ins and demonstration by the AT, STPP, SUP, JSQM and National Peoples Party. In this strike, the nationalists were also supported by the PML-F, usually the two are at odds with each other. Members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Likeminded also held a protest in Thar.

“I congratulate and thank the people of Sindh for rejecting the ordinance and supporting the strike,” said STPP’s Dr Qadir Magsi at a press conference where he defended the decision to go ahead with the strike.

In Shaheed Benazirabad, a party worker was shot at allegedly by the police during a sit-in near the National Highway. Another man was shot and injured as unidentified men opened fire on two cars. In Sakrand taluka, the police had to start aerial firing to disperse a crowd which had gathered to protest. The people reacted by pelting stones at the police.

In Karachi, transporters and traders went about their business as usual. According to a spokesperson from the All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, they had decided to continue working as political parties had called off the strike. The chairperson of the Karachi Transport Ittehad said that public transport was up and running like it was every day.

AT and Sindhyani Tehreek workers organised protests in Malir, Sacchal Goth, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Bhittai Colony, Gabol Goth and Steel Town. Activists from Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), STPP and PML-F held a protest in Bhains Colony. In some areas, schools and petrol station were closed as a precautionary measure. The roads leading to Governor House and Chief Minister House were blocked by large containers.

In upper Sindh the roads were blocked for hours as party activists protested against the new ordinance. There was no public transport available for nearly four hours. Around a dozen activists were arrested from Sukkur and Khairpur. Court proceedings were also boycotted by the lawyers in protest. According to the president of the District Bar Association Sukkur, Hadi Bux Bhatt, the government should have discussed the new local government ordinance before making it official.

The main bazaars in Sukkur, including Nishtar Road, Shahi Bazaar and Sarrafa Bazaar, remained closed. Protesters marched from Barrage Road to Clock Tower chanting slogans against the government. They claimed that the new ordinance was a conspiracy to divide Sindh.

In Daharki, over a 100 political activists staged a sit-in on the National Highway. They held placards and burnt tyres. Similar protests were held in Sehwan, Umerkot, Thatta, Ubauro, Mirpur Mathelo and Ghotki.

A heavy contingent of law enforcers were sent to monitor all major roads and business centres.

With additional information from PPI

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2012.