Indefinite strike shuts down Balochistan

An indefinite province-wide strike brought life across Balochistan to a near standstill on Thursday as traders, transporters, and business organizations shut down markets and suspended transport services in protest against worsening law and order conditions and repeated attacks on commercial vehicles.

The strike, jointly organized by more than a dozen trade bodies, transport associations, and the Quetta Chamber of Commerce, resulted in the closure of major markets and the disappearance of public transport from roads across the province. Protest leaders said the action was prompted by a recent surge in security incidents, including attacks on cargo trucks and the burning of commercial vehicles on key highways.

Speaking on behalf of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce, Haji Akhtar Kakar criticized the provincial government for failing to provide adequate security to businesses and travelers. He said traders and transporters could no longer operate under the growing threat of violence and demanded immediate and effective measures to restore safety on major trade routes.

While the strike succeeded in halting commercial activity across Balochistan, it also created significant hardships for ordinary citizens. Bus terminals remained deserted, public transport vanished from the streets, and thousands of travelers were left stranded as road movements came to a halt.

Among those affected was Jameel Ahmed, who had traveled overnight from Khuzdar with his ailing mother for a scheduled hospital appointment in Quetta. Upon arrival, they found the city's transport system completely shut down. With no taxis or rickshaws available, Ahmed said his elderly mother was too weak to walk the remaining distance to the hospital, leaving them stranded and helpless.

Elsewhere, Bibi Fatima, an elderly woman carrying her fever-stricken grandson, was seen walking through dusty roads and bypassing blockades in an attempt to reach a medical facility. She said village doctors had advised immediate treatment in Quetta for the child's severe chest infection, but the transport shutdown forced them to continue their journey on foot after being dropped far from the clinic.

The strike highlighted the growing frustration of the business community over deteriorating security conditions while simultaneously exposing the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens during large-scale protests.

Although provincial authorities have indicated their willingness to engage in dialogue with protest leaders, organizers have vowed to continue the shutdown until concrete and visible security measures are implemented to protect trade routes and ensure public safety across the province.

With negotiations yet to yield a breakthrough, markets remain closed, transport services suspended, and uncertainty continues to grip Balochistan.