Complete strike observed in Balochistan REPORTED BY MUHAMMAD EJAZ

QUETTA: Complete strike was observed in Balochistan on Tuesday on the call ofthe Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) to protest the suicide attack on a Madrassa inPishin in which six people had lost their lives.The strike crippled the provincial metropolis and other parts of the province asthe main business centres remained closed coupled with thin traffic on roads. InQuetta, banks and other financial institutions also witnessed low businessactivity.The suicide attack had targeted JUI-F provincial Amir Maulana Shirani and otherparty leaders but they escaped unhurt. The JUI-F took out a protest rally andmarched through city roads. It was later turned into a public meeting.Addressing the participants, JUI-F Secretary-General Maulana Abdul GhafoorHaideri, Senior Provincial Minister Maulana Abdul Wasey, Hafiz Hamdullah andother leaders condemned the suicide attack and attempt on the life of MaulanaShirani.They said it was not an attack on a Madrassa; rather it was an attack on thereligious forces and seminaries. They said an attempt was being made to suppressthe JUI-F, which is a voice of the Ummah and oppressed masses. They urged theparty workers to maintain calm.