JUI-F strike in Balochistan brings life to a standstill

Police say at least 150 protesters have blocked various roads in Quetta

QUETTA: Economic activities came to a complete halt in major parts of Balochistan and traffic on National and RCD highways were suspended on Sunday as Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI-F) observed a strike in protest against the murder of its General Secretary Sindh Dr Khalid Soomro. 

Protesters also stopped a passenger train from going to Chaman from Quetta.

The demonstrators also blocked roads in different areas of Quetta, torching used tyres and pelting stones on vehicles. They also beat up several people who tried coming out of their homes and forced shopkeepers to close their shops.

JUIF protesters play football as their party observes shutter-down strike in Quetta. PHOTO: SHEZAD BALOCH

“At least 150 protesters have blocked various roads of Quetta,” said a police official.

Police conducts raid in Quetta. PHOTO: SHEZAD BALOCH

Streets wore a deserted look as all the shopping and trading centres were closed.

The traffic between districts in Balochistan as well on Quetta-Chaman, Quetta-Karachi, Quetta-Dera Ghazi Khan and Quetta-Taftan highways also remained suspended.

Abdul Waheed - a trader from Jinnah Road - said “it is a complete shutter-down strike and I cannot go to my shop despite Sunday being a working day in Quetta".