Against local governance act: Sindh answers nationalists’ call, closes down in protest

A dozen people were injured as a PML-F rally came under fire in Sanghar.

HYDERABAD/ KARACHI: Minor skirmishes across the province took place during a largely peaceful and successful strike called by the nationalist and opposition parties against the local government system in Sindh.

Even the Lahore High Court’s judgement ordering the construction of the controversial Kalabagh Dam failed to divert the wrath of the people, who on Friday preferred to protest against the Sindh Peoples Local Government Act, 2012.

A largely successful shutter down was observed in Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas divisions where traffic remained off the road, educational institutions were mostly closed and lawyers boycotted the courts also.

The workers of Sindhi nationalist parties, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-i- Insaaf, National Peoples Party and Awami National Party among other groups staged demonstrations and sits-in.

The strike eclipsed the Pakistan Peoples Party’s celebrations for its 45th foundation day. Although the party organised small gatherings, no rallies were taken out. The PPP usually organises the commemorative events at its district council office in the city centre.

Violence

In Sanghar, a dozen people were injured as a rally led by PML-F was reportedly attacked in Shahpur Chakar during a quarrel with the shop owners associated with the ruling party. In the pitched battle that followed, Ghulam Muhammad Unar, a deputy of Pir Pagara’s Hur Jamaat, and his son, Dodo Unar, were shot as their car came under fire.

The protesters later staged a sit-in and also attacked a police mobile. Dozens of activists were reportedly picked up by the law enforcement agencies.

In Hyderabad, aerial firing near a demonstration of the nationalist workers in Garhi Khata sparked violence. The workers broke the windowpanes of a roadside restaurant and ransacked a dairy shop. Sindh United Party’s Roshan Buriro accused a political party of deliberately provoking the protesters.

In the Benazirabad district also, a clash erupted between law enforces and nationalist workers after the Rangers detained five workers of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz.



In Karachi, many areas, especially the suburbs, were partially affected as armed men forced the shopkeepers to close down their businesses. Demonstrations were also staged in different areas where protesters disturbed the flow of traffic. Around 10 suspects were detained for creating a law and order situation.

Lawyers protest

In Karachi, the legal fraternity also stayed away from work at the city courts on Friday on the call of nationalists. The courts wore a deserted look, however, the entrance and exit points were crowded with lawyers advocating for their candidates for the upcoming Karachi Bar Association’s annual elections. Polling for the bar association is slated for Dec 15.

The candidates and their supporters have started a hectic campaign putting up pamphlets, stickers and posters at the court to woo voters. Of the 10,000 lawyers at the city courts, around 6,000 are registered voters.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2012.