Pakistan Views

This city and various areas of the district gave a deserted look as complete strike was observed Saturday against the assassination of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto.

Almost all markets of the city remained deserted as traders of Mardan observed strike while roads linking Mardan with Malakand, Swabi and Charsadda were closed and vehicles remained off the road. Petrol and CNG pumps also remained closed. PPP workers staged demonstrations in the district and chanted slogans against the government. They pulled down billboards and posters of PML-Q candidate from NA-9 Shad Ali Khan.

In the city, Syed Abid Ali Shah advocate, Muazzam and a candidate from PF-30 Iftikhar Shagai led the protesters. They held a public meeting at Pakistan Chowk where the speakers condemned the brutal murder of Benazir Bhutto.

Meanwhile, candidates and workers of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) strongly condemned the gruesome killing of Benazir Bhutto and termed it a cowardice act. Former MNA and district chief of JUI-F Maulana Qasim while addressing local media termed Benazir a great leader and said her services could not be ignored. He held rulers responsible for the killing of Benazir Bhutto.