MQM PEACEFUL STRIKE -- 4 SEPTEMBER 1999 -- NEWS UPDATE

Successful nation-wide strike in a verdict against Nawaz Sharif government -- Altaf Hussain
Today's strike was "MOTHER OF ALL STRIKES" in the history of Pakistan -- Muttahida Quami Movement
Karachi quiet amid tight security as strike begins -- Reuters
Karachi Quiet Amid Tight Security as Strike Begins
Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) brings entire Sindh province to a grinding halt -- Members of the Co-ordination Committee.

Pakistan time: 11.55 a.m.
Not only the Karachi Stock Exchange and major financial institutions in Karachi remained closed but also the Karachi Airport was partially closed and many domestic flights were cancelled because of the total shut down in Karachi on the strike call of Muttahida Quami Movement.

Pakistan time: 11.25 a.m.
It has been learnt from reliable sources that police and other law enforcement agencies had snatched several vehicles from Karachi on the eve of the strike call. They had planned to set them on fire to portray that the strike call by MQM was violent. But since nobody came out on the street and the total population of Karachi remained within their homes on the appeal of Quaid-e-Tehrik Altaf Hussain, therefore, police had no chance of proceeding with their plan.

Pakistan time: 10.55 a.m.
In Karachi, personnel of Shah Faisal Colony Police Station, led by SHO Mobeen, are patrolling the area and forcing the shopkeepers to open their shops so that he could make video shots of the area for national news.

Pakistan time: 8.55 a.m.
Complete strike is being observed throughout Sindh. Not a single car or motorcycle can be seen. People have stayed in their homes and no one has even come out on the streets of the urban centres of Sindh. All businesses and shops are closed.

Pakistan time: 8.15 a.m.
In Karachi, it has been reported that hundreds of MQM office bearers, workers and supporters have been arrested so far in night illegal raids conducted by the police in different areas.

Pakistan time: 7 a.m.
In Hyderabad, heavy contingent of police raided the residence of Nasir, incharge of Sector-A. In his absence they arrested his brother. The same raiding party also arrested Sartaj Baba, member of MQM Elders Wing. In Hyderabad, police raided the residence of Rasheed, incharge of Sector-H. In his absence they arrested his brothers Sharif, Majeed, Mushtaq and Guddu.

Pakistan time: 6.30 a.m.
In Tando AllahYar, heavy contingent of police have arrested Haq Nawaz, Sector Incharge of MQM Tando Allah Yar Sector, interior Sindh. Moreover, former member sector committee Aftab Alam, member unit committee, Mahmood Qadir, workers Akbar, Parvez and Khalid have also been arrested during raids.

Pakistan time: 4.55 a.m.
In Nawabshah, heavy contingent of police, led by Additional SHO Arshad Arain, raided the house of Yousuf, incharge of MQM Unit 8. In his absence they arrested his father Yaqub. In another raid the same raiding party arrested Ghulam Mohammad, former incharge of Unit 8 and Anwar, former incharge of MQM Unit 17. According to latest information, heavy contingent of police have cordoned off the residence of Abdul Majeed, former member of provincial assembly of Sindh belonging to the MQM.

Pakistan time: 5.30 a.m.
In Mirpurkhas, Police have arrested Ali Hassan, incharge of MQM Digri Sector in interior Sindh. Furthermore, Babu Idrees, joint incharge of and member of unit committee Farhan have also been arrested. Several other workers have been in night long raids in Mirpurkhas. Their details are awaited.

Pakistan time: 4.55 a.m.
During night long raids in interior Sindh, police and other law enforcement agencies have arrested many MQM workers and supporters. According to details, Police in Shahdadpur, Sanghar has arrested MQM workers namely Jamil Rajput, Ghyas, Iftikhar, Salim, Rao Iqbal, Irshad and Nisar. Moreover, in Sanjhoro, interior Sindh, police has arrested MQM workers Iftikhar, Farooq and Rasheed.

Pakistan time: 3 a.m.
Two MQM workers of Unit 176, Sector North Nazimabad, who were returning home after attending the MQM Rally at Burns Road in Karachi have been arrested by police. Their details are:
1-- Riaz Ahmed 29, son of Ejaz Ahmed, resident of North Nazimabad, Karachi.
2-- Rizwan Ahmed 28, son of Khalil Ahmed, resident of North Nazimabad, Karachi.