Against Lyari op, nationalists call for strike today

Declaring the government-backed operation in Lyari the genocide of indigenous Baloch, the Sindhi nationalist parties announced a province-wide strike for today (Friday) against the police action.
This was announced at a joint press conference on Thursday by the leaders of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), Sindh Tarraqui Passand Party (STPP), Sindh United Party (SUP), Awami Tehreek (AT), Sindh National Movement (SNM) and many other nationalist parties of the province.
Acting JSQM chairman Dr Niaz Kalani said the strike has been called to protest the ‘unjust’ operation in Lyari “directed against the natives of Lyari”.
Chairman STPP Dr Qadir Magsi said that his party would also participate in the strike, adding that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government has broken all records of insensitivity and oppression.
Sindh United Party (SUP) chief Jalal Mehmood Shah said the one-sided Lyari operation should be stopped immediately and if necessary, operations launched throughout the metropolis against the actual criminals and target killers.
He said that due to ill planning of the police, peaceful citizens of Lyari are suffering. “Karachi should be made arms-free as directed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” he added.
Shah claimed he had received some reliable information that an ethnic group in collaboration with the government wants to eliminate a community from the area near the Karachi port.
Replying to a question, the SUP chief said that the nationalists of Sindh are not supporting any groups but are against the operation, which is creating a difficult situation for the 1.6 million people of Lyari.
“The life of common citizens in the area has become miserable in these hot and humid summer days as they are without water, food or electricity,” he said. “The people of Sindh are with these innocent and aggrieved people.”
Shah warned that if the operation in Lyari is not stopped, the nationalists will opt for other strategies.
SNM President Ali Hassan Chandio said the purpose of the strike on May 4 was to express solidarity with the residents of Lyari and rallies would be taken out to protest the operation.