Ongoing Protests by Balochistan Goods Truck Owners Threaten Supply of Essential Goods

Since February 18, the Balochistan Goods Truck Owners Association has been protesting by halting freight trucks on national highways. As a result, the transportation of food items and other essential goods between Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan has come to a standstill.

The ongoing protests have raised concerns over a potential food shortage in Balochistan, particularly in the provincial capital, Quetta. The prices of essential food items such as chicken, vegetables, and pulses have started to rise. Market sources report that in just two days, the price of chicken has increased by 40 rupees, while vegetable and pulse prices have surged by 5 to 10 percent. Vendors have stated that although food items are still available, they are not in sufficient quantities. If the protest by goods truck owners continues for a few more days, the situation could worsen.

With the holy month of Ramadan approaching, demand for food items is expected to rise. Vendors are concerned that if goods do not reach Quetta from other regions, there could be a significant shortage of essential food supplies.

Protestors have expressed that while they have communicated their demands to the government, they have not received a serious response. They have warned that if the government fails to address their concerns, they will escalate their protests.

The key demands of the protesters include allowing 10-wheeler trucks to carry 40 tons of cargo and trailers to transport 70 tons, addressing the issues of excessive fines and bribery on national highways, and stopping the forcible extraction of fuel from trucks and trailers. Additionally, they are calling for a reduction in toll fees at toll plazas.