Transporters, traders, labour organisations and opposition parties who even did not take part in National Leaders Conference held on 4th September, vowed to support strike to be observed on 9th September, against price hike, increase in petroleum prices, rigging in local bodies elections and policies of General Pervez Musharraf.
Deputy Secretary General Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), Liaquat Baloch revealed this in a press conference here on Wednesday. Leaders of opposition parties, ARD, Jama't ul Dawa, and Tehreek Insaf also spoke on the occasion.
'The police has started conducting raids on residences of political activists and if any arrest is made, we would not tolerate', he warned. He further said joint action committee to make the strike a success has been constituted.
National Labour Federation, National Traders Association, Pakistan Workers Federation, Labour Party, National Party, National Workers Party, Transport Federation, Goods Transporters Federation, All Pakistan Mini Transport Federation and various other bodies including women organisations have assured their full support in favour of strike, he added.
The escalating price hike and deteriorating law and order situation has made the life of people miserable. The government has taken U-turn on Palestine issue by holding a meeting with Israeli foreign minister. The government claimed to have held meeting on the desire of Palestinian Prime Minister but he has expressed his ignorance on the issue, he added.
Naveed Chaudhry of Pakistan Peoples Party said that ARD had already decided to launch countrywide agitation move against the dictatorship whereas the government has arranged interviews of so-called leaders of traders and labour organisations on television to propagate against the strike. The 9th September strike would be first step towards a movement against the government, he maintained.