Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW Vol. 5 Num 812 Thu. September 07, 2006       International Baluchistan on strike over Bugti's killing Afp, Quetta Parts of the troubled southwest Pakistani province of Baluchistan were paralysed yesterday by a strike called by opposition parties to protest the killing of a rebel tribal chief. Schools and shopping centres were closed and public transport ground to a halt in the provincial capital Quetta and several other towns, but there were no immediate reports of violence. "There is complete strike in Baluchistan to protest the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti in a military operation," secretary general of the Baluchistan National Party, Habib Jablib Baloch told AFP. "We will continue our protest until people of Baluchistan get their due rights," Baloch said. Bugti, who died in a cave hideout during an army operation, was buried in haste on Friday as a strike crippled Baluchistan. His death sparked nationwide protests and deadly violence in Baluchistan where 10 people have died in bomb blasts, attacks and clashes with police in the past week. Officials said security had been stepped up in the province to prevent violence. "It's opposition's right to protest, but a strike every other day does not serve their cause as the public faces numerous troubles," provincial government spokesman Raziq Bugti told AFP. Bugti led an armed campaign to press for provincial autonomy and a greater share of profits from Baluchistan's natural resources.