BARKHAN: Important roads in Balochistan came to a standstill on Monday as people staged separate protests demanding the fulfilment of their demands.
In Barkhan, the Balochistan National Party (BNP) blocked the N-70 highway, a crucial link between Balochistan and Punjab, to protest against ongoing extortion and lawlessness in the region.
Protesters set fire to tires and obstructed the national highway, demanding the arrest of Shafiqur Rahman, the leader of a death squad in Balochistan.
“Our protest and demonstration will continue until Shafiqur Rahman, the killer of oppressed and helpless Baloch people, is apprehended,” stated Malik Gaman Khan, a central committee member of BNP.
“We will raise our voice against the ongoing cruelty and brutality in Balochistan at every available platform. The deliberate backwardness of the province must be addressed,” added Naurez Baloch.
Siddique Khetran expressed his dismay, stating, “Even in the 21st century, the people of this resource-rich province are living below the poverty line.”
The closure of the highway resulted in long queues of stranded vehicles.
In Qalat, BNP workers also protested and blocked the Quetta-Karachi highway.
“Some elements are attempting to incite tribal conflict in the political affairs of Wadh tehsil. There are efforts to punish BNP chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal for demanding rights over coastal resources,” they alleged.
The closure of the national highway caused extensive traffic congestion, leaving people stranded in long queues of vehicles.
In Zhob, the All Parties Action Committee (APAC) and other groups staged a sit-in protest in front of the commissioner’s office, condemning the martyrdom of policemen at the Shirani Dana Sar Checkpost.
Protesters erected a tent and placed the bodies of the deceased policemen on the road as a symbol of their protest.
Despite the scorching heat, the demonstrators persevered on the second day, with the families of the martyred policemen vowing to continue their protest until their legitimate demands are met.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed across the entire city on Monday, with small and large shops, markets, and business centres remaining closed.
