MQM and ANP call off strike

KARACHI:Sindh government on Saturday announced a public holiday on May 12, a day, which Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said marked a "national tragedy." Talking to a crowded press conference at Chief Minister House Qaim said the decision was taken in view of the rising public concern over a probable poor law and order situation on May 12 in the wake of April 29 bloodshed in Karachi.

"The offshoots of trouble in tribal areas and violence on April 29 that killed some 30 people (in Karachi) are felt here," he added. He said his government after due consultations with the friends from political and media spheres had decided that May 12 should be observed as a "tragic day."

The chief minister, who was flanked by Information Minister Shazia Marri and Food Minister Mir Nadir Khan Magsi, said by declaring May 12 as a public holiday Sindh government would establish a "good tradition" to commemorate the martyrs of the day every year.

"We request all the political parties, particularly MQM and ANP, not to opt for a strike on May 12 and observe the day as a tragic day by holding prayers for the martyrs," he appealed. Being the leader of a rally that was taken out to receive Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry at the airport, Qaim termed the PPP as a biggest looser of May 12 followed by the lawyers and judges fraternity who were also maltreated.

"May 12 (incidents) occurred because the chief justice was coming here on our invitation 27 parties joined us to welcome him on the airport," he said. Without naming Threek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, who is due in Karachi most probably on Sunday, the chief minister said "those coming from outside should avoid issuing inflammatory statements and also respect Section 144."

The police and Rangers would remain on high alert on May 12 to deal with any untoward situation, he said adding the examination papers in the schools and colleges scheduled for the day would be delayed.

To a query Qaim said a still-inconclusive investigation had long been going on into the bloody incidents on May 12, but if it is delayed further a judicial inquiry could also be launched to ascertain the facts. Talking about agenda of the Prime Minister's visit to Karachi on Saturday, he said diverse issues relating to NFC Award, law and order would be reviewed.

He also told the media persons that his government ensuring the province-wide availability of "bardana" had so far procured 1.1 million tons of wheat and was working on the prices of flour and wheat. Asked if federal government was again interfering in Thar Coal issue, Qaim expressed his ignorance towards any such development and said he would talk to deputy chief Planning Commission of Pakistan in this regard.

Meanwhile, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP), the two coalition partners of the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in Sindh, called off their strike on May 12, as the Sindh government declared the day a public holiday to avoid any untoward situation.

Faisal Sabzwari Provincial Minister for Youth Affairs told Business Recorder that his party had withdrawn its support to the Haq Parast Loya Jirga, which had called for strike on May 12. The MQM leader said the decision had been taken by Co-ordination Committee of the party.

"We withdrew our support to the Haq Parast Loya Jirga in view of the Prime Minister's speech and action of the government," he added. He said MQM would also hoist national flags to show solidarity with the armed forces and the people of Pakistan on May 12.

When contacted ANP spokesman Qadir Khan said his party called off the strike call after the Sindh government's announcement to observe public holiday on May 12. "The Sindh government's decision is in line with our demand from the Prime Minister in the last meeting at Chief Minister House," he added.

Khan said that the Prime Minister, Governor and Chief Minister Sindh had also requested ANP to withdraw the strike call. "By announcing a strike we wanted to pay tribute to the martyrs of May 12 and justice for their mourners firstly, secondly as per our manifesto we never believe in the politics of corpses," he said.