Four-day strike starts today

By Razzak Abro

KARACHI: Balochistan-based parties in Sindh have strongly condemned the killing of three Baloch nationalist leaders.

Balochistan National Front (BNF) and Akhtar Mengal-led Balochistan Nationalist Party (BNP) have separately given four-day strike calls Baloch-dominated areas in Karachi and in Balochistan and from April 10, in protest against state brutality. BNF activists also staged a protest demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club against the incident. They chanted slogans against the killing of Baloch National Movement Central Chairman Ghulam Muhammad Baloch, BNM’s Central Vice President Lala Munir and Balochistan Republican Party’s Central Leader Sher Muhammad Baloch. The three had been missing since April 3 and their bodies were found on April 8. The BNM leadership has alleged that security forces had arrested the three leaders on April 3 from office of their advocate, Kachkol Ali, in Quetta and their tortured bodies were sent to the Turbat Hospital on late Wednesday night.

“The state has adopted double standards. It is holding talks with religious extremists but is not even considering Baloch as citizens”, said former Balochistan chief minister and BNP leader Akhtar Mengal, while speaking at a press conference at his residence. He said that killing of the three leaders was a clear message for Baloch to abandon their struggle for their rights or face the consequences. “The establishment wants to break the country again,” he alleged.

He said that the Baloch want reconciliation but the government is acting otherwise. Responding to a question, Mengal said that he would not beg for a suo motu notice by the Supreme Court of the killings, however, it could take it on its own. According to the BNF leadership, a complete shutter down strike will be held from April 10 to 12 in Balochistan and Baloch-dominated areas of Karachi. Moreover, students will boycott their classes in schools, colleges and universities and lawyers would boycott courts. Announcing three days of mourning, the BNF leaders also called for a wheel-jam strike on April 13. The party said that ghaibana Namaz-e-Janaza would be offered after Friday prayers at Baloch Chowk, Chakiwara, Lyari.

Speaking at two separate press conferences held at the Karachi Press Club, MNA Mir Yaqoob Bizenjo and Baloch Republican Party’s Zaibunnisa said that the killings of the three Baloch leaders would not deter the struggle of the Baloch people. Bizenjo appealed to Chief Justice Ifitkhar Mohammad Chauhdry to take suo motu action against the killings and conduct an enquiry under his personal supervision.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has termed the alleged murder of Baloch leaders as an attempt to sabotage the national reconciliation process in the country. In a statement issued by the MQM, Hussain called upon the government to take notice of the killings and order a high-level probe. In their separate statements, National Workers Party and Labour Party of Pakistan also condemned the killings and appealed to the chief justice to provide justice to the victims. BWP President Advocate Akhtar Hussain has also demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik.

In a press release, Jamaat-i-Islami Amir Syed Munawar Hassan also strongly condemned the killings, stating that it is like adding fuel to the fire.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009�410story_10-4-2009_pg12_1