Transporters’ reaction: Truck driver’s killing sparks protest

QUETTA: A truck driver was shot dead in a kidnapping bid in Nautal on the Quetta-Jacobabad highway, triggering protest demonstrations by transporters and the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP). According to the police, robbers signalled the truck driver to stop at gunpoint but the driver tried to speed away. The robbers opened fire at the truck and injured the driver. The attackers fled. The police rushed to the spot soon after and took the injured to the nearby state-run hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The victim was identified as Amanullah. Later the transporters blocked the National Highway for several hours condemning the killing. They shouted slogans against the government for failing to maintain law and order and not tackling highway robberies.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2012.