Complete strike in Balochistan, partial elsewhere
50 held in Hyderabad, Sukkur for forcing shopkeepers to close, dozens protesters held in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD--Complete shutter down-cum-wheel jamstrike was observed in Balochistan whereas partial in other three provinces including federal capital, against the killing of the Jamhoori Watan Party Chief late Nawab Akbar Bugti on Friday.
Protest rallies were held and the agitators blocked various roads by burning tyres condemning the killing of the Baloch nationalist leader who was killed along with his associates in a military raid in Kohlu last Saturday.
On Friday some dozens of people were arrested in various parts of Balochistan including Gwadar, Pasni, Turbat while some fifty others were arrested from Hyderabad and Sukkar for allegedly forcing shopkeepers to close down.
However, over all Friday's strike remained peaceful as there were no reports of violence in Balochistan, or any other part of the country.
Scores of people were reportedly killed in clashes between violent mobs and personnel of law enforcement agencies, whereas around 2,000 people were held on charges violence across the country during last one week.
"Security was held on high alert on the occasion of the strike in all four provinces, however no major incident of violence was reported from any part of the country," official sources said in Islamabad.
Federal capital observed partial shutter down as major business centers remained closed. Main Blue Area market was mostly remained opened through out the day, but other business centers including Abpara Market, Super market, Jinnah Super Market, Sitara Market, Melody Market were mostly closed. Traffic on the roads was relatively low but offices and educational institutes remind open.
Strict security reassures were in place at all entrances and exits of the capital and police contingents were deployed at sensitive sites to maintain law and order.
Meanwhile, some 200 people attended Ghaibana Nimaz-e-Jinaza of former Chief Minister and Governor Balochistan Nawab Akbar Bugti, held here. MMA Member National Assembly Mian Mohammad Aslam led the prayers in front of Jamia Masjid al-Shauhada, after Jumma Prayers.
Speaking at the gathering he said "we strongly condemn the way they (government) killed Akbar Bugti."
He said the government after recovering smashed dead body of late Bugti should hand it over to his family for burial. "We also condemn the way government officials silently buried him (Bugti) without the presence of his family members," he added.
Mian Aslam said such incidents fuel hatred against Punjab among other provinces. He said guns could never solve any problem, but may add fury to them. He vowed that MMA will always be standing by their side.
Speaking on the occasion, leader of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) Nayyar Bukhari said when a parliamentary committee comprising government members had agreed with Baloch leaders on a set of proposals, why the government did not implement these recommendations and instead resorted to use of brutal power.
As per reports reaching here, complete shutter down and wheel jam strike was observed in Quetta, Gwadar, Turbat, Khuzdar, Loralai, Hub and other cities of Balochistan. Shopping centers and business establishments remained closed through out the day. Whereas, partial strike was observed in Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts, with majority of Bugti and Mari tribes, where few shops were kept open and traffic continued ply on the roads.e protestors took to the roads in various cities to vent their anger but the police and the security agencies dispersed them throughaton-charge and firing gas shells.
Kuchla Road linking Quetta with the northern areas was blocked by the violent mob by setting fire to the tyres. Similarly Saryab was also blocked by the protestors and pelted stones on the security forces and the police.
The law enforcing agencies held more than 20 peoples from Turbat, Pasni, Khuzdar and other places on charge of breaking the law. The police reported to registered cases against some of the political worker and leaders.
In Hyderabad and Sukkar partial strike was observed, some of the shops and business centers remained closed and the attendance in the government and the privates office remained were thin.
The police held around fifty persons who were forcing the shopkeepers for the shutter down.
In Lahore the hub of business activities- Shadman, Akbari Mandi, Mall Road remained closed and most of the vehicles remained off the roads.
In Karachi vehicular traffic on roads remained less than the normal and the attendance in the government and private office remained less than the routine. Schools in the city have been closed after the strike call. The commuter faced a lot of problems in reaching their respective estinations, forcing them to travel on the roof top of the busses. Some opted to travel on foot.
All the petrol pumps have already been closed down Thursday night.
Strict security measures were taken at Lyari Town, Malir Town and Orange Town, however no major incident of violence was reported in the city.
In contrary to the expectation partial strike was observed in Peshawar and the public and private transport continue to ply. The shops at G.T Road, Kisa Khawani Bazar, Khyber Bazar did their normal business, however, they were closed down for some time when protest process was marched through threes roads.
Various processions were taken out at Peshawar sadar, University Road, Kohat Road, and Charsadda road by the MMA, PML-N, ANP, PPPP and T.I, but the strength of the participants could not exceeded more than one hundred.—Agencies