Angry traders stage protest on highway
Truck drivers rest near the Pak-Afghan border as they wait to cross over. photo: express
Due to the persisting issue over the long closure of the Pak-Afghan border in Balochistan’s Chaman district, several political parties including infuriated traders, transporters and laborers staged a protest on Monday at the Chaman Highway, blocking roads for traffic which caused a nuisance for the public.
The protest lasted for several hours during which traders and others demanded the PTI-led federal government to open the border immediately.
In this regard, former president of Chaman Chamber Jamaluddin Achakzai said due to the Pak-Afghan border closure, businessmen including traders have become economically poor.
Highlighting the rising rate of unemployment, Achakzai said people have been forced to protest, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently on a three-day trip to Saudi Arabia, should take notice of the dire situation and issue immediate orders to open the Chaman border for commercial activities.
It is pertinent to note that the Quetta-Chaman highway was closed for all kinds of traffic on Monday.
The protestors alleged that thousands of people have lost their jobs due to the long-term closure of the border, which is affecting trade activities in other cities of Balochistan as well.
Not only has there been a shortage of many food items in and around Chaman, but the trend of rising prices of various items has also prevailed.
The protesters vowed to continue the protest till the border was not opened immediately.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2021.