Life paralyzed in Balochsitan over shutter down call

The Baloch Hal News

QUETTA: A complete shutter down strike was observed in Quetta on Thursday in response to a call given by the local traders’ community Anjuman-e-Tajiran Balochistan to protest against the misbehavior of custom staff, prolonged load shedding and target killings

Anjuman-e-Tajiran, an organization of the business community, had called for a complete shutter down and wheel jam strike on national highways connected with Quetta and other parts of province.

The national highways were blocked from different directions at Khuchlak, Mezay Adda, Kulpur and lakh pass suspending the traffic. Zamindar Action Committee also supported the strike and participated in the protest.

Most of the business establishments located on Jinnah Road, Khandari Bazaar, Liaqat Bazaar, Abdul Sattar road, Prince Road, Masjid Road, Suraj Ganj bazaar, Saryab Road, Zhargoon Road, Sirki road, Mekanagi road, remain closed for the whole day. All the private schools in Quetta also observed holyday due to the strike call while traffic was thin throughout the day on roads.

Anjuman-e-Tajiran took out a rally and a organized sit-in on Circular Road while they were prevented by police squad to access the Balochistan Assembly. They chanted slogan against the custom staff and demanded to remove the Custom Collector who, they alleged, had been causing trouble for the traders without any valid reasons. Provincial ministers Ainullah Shams, Isfandyar Kakar and Tahir Mahmood came to the protestors after an hour. Protestors were peacefully dispersed after assurance of minister that their demands would be considered.

This was yet another strike call by the business community of Balochistan which took place two days after the province-wide strike observed by the farmers in Balochistan against load-shedding.