Strike against Powell visit peaceful

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, OCT. 15. The strike organised by religious parties and groups in Pakistan today in protest against the visit of the U.S. Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell, and the co-operation extended by the Musharraf Government to the U.S.-led coalition in its fight against Osama and Taliban appears to have passed off peacefully.

There were apprehension of disturbances in some of the cities and towns particularly after the death of three activists of a religious groups in Jacobabad in Sindh province on Sunday as they attempted to march towards an airfield supposedly placed at the disposal of the U.S. But, the day seems to have gone off without any major incident and it is no small consolation for the Government which is trying hard to isolate the hard-liners attempting to incite violence.

Reports from different parts of the country suggest that barring Karachi and the capital of Baluchistan, Quetta, the strike evoked a partial response.

People did down their shutters in several parts but it was more on account of apprehension of trouble than any support for the pro-Taliban elements.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Churches attacked in Sydney
Next     : Khaleda orders probe into reports of persecution