Various mainstream of opposition religious, political and nationalists parties at a joint press conference on Wednesday appealed for observing complete peaceful strike in Karachi and rest of Sindh on Friday against lawlessness, terrorism, demolition of Katchi Abadies and government's failure to arrest perpetuators of terrorist activities.
The joint press conference was held at Jamat-i-Islami (JI) Karachi office Idara-e-Noor-e-Haq and addressed by JI Naib Amir Professor Ghafoor Ahmed, Allama Hasan Turabi, Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui, PPP leader Rashid Rabbani, PML-N's Nehal Hashmi, Mufti Usman Yar Khan, Abdul Karim Abid and several others.
Addressing the press conference, JI Naib Amir Professor Ghafoor Ahmed said opposition parties were compelled to give call for observing complete but peaceful strike against government actions as it was pushing Karachi towards civil war like situation.
"People are being killed and massacred on daily basis in Karachi, Katchi Abadies and ancient villages are being demolished, lawlessness is touching peaks and there is no hope of arrest of killers as notorious terrorists have been imposed on people in Karachi and Sindh" he alleged adding that General Musharraf was the actual culprit for devastating law and order situation in Sindh.
He said one month would complete on Thursday after April 11 Nishtar Park tragedy and despite passage of weeks, government had failed to arrest terrorists behind the heinous act.
JI central leader said demolition of Katchi Abadies and ancient villages was another major issue as people who voted against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in the general elections were being punished by razing their permanent structures in the garb of anti-encroachment drive.
According to him, in the garb of fake clashes at educational institutions, Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) and JI workers' residences were being raided and many of them had been arrested on Tuesday night and added that by leaving dig up roads, incomplete projects and demolition of Katchi Abadies, Karachi was being ruined by the Muttahida-led CDGK and provincial government.
"In these circumstances, we are compelled to issue call for observing strike in Karachi and rest of Sindh on Friday, May 12, 2006" he announced and expressed the hope that by observing complete and peaceful strike, people would distance themselves from killers and terrorists led government.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Karachi President Rashid Rabbani said PPP would support every move to restore democracy in the country and announcing support to May 12, 2006 strike call appealed people of whole of Sindh and Karachi to observe complete peaceful strike in the province.
Several others including JI Karachi Amir Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui, Maulana Abdul Karim Abid of JUI, Mufti Usmanyar Khan of JUI-S, Nehal Hashmi of PML-N, STP leader Ali Hasan Chandio, Zubair Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Siddique Rathore of JUP, Basharat Mirza of PDP also spoke while Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) MPAs Nasarullah Shajee, Younus Barai, Hameedullah Khan and several JI and MMA leaders were also present.