Severe Travel Disruptions in Balochistan Due to Security Issues and Rising Airfare Costs

Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area, has been facing severe instability for several years, which has significantly disrupted transportation and daily life. Recent incidents on national highways have made ground travel increasingly difficult. Armed militants have blocked routes and conducted searches, making it nearly impossible for citizens to travel safely by road. In one such incident this month, militants stopped vehicles on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway at Bolan and carried out searches, while in another incident on the Quetta-Punjab National Highway at Barkhan, seven people were killed based on their identity.

While these security issues continue to hinder road travel, protests along the Quetta-Karachi National Highway have also severely affected public life, making daily commuting unbearable for many.

In terms of rail services, the Jafar Express runs daily between Quetta and Punjab/Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, offering seating for 400 to 500 passengers. However, the Bolan Express, which operates between Quetta and Karachi, only departs twice a week, limiting the number of passengers it can accommodate. Consequently, air travel has become the only viable option for many, but it is increasingly becoming unaffordable due to rising ticket prices.

Private travel agent Sadiq Khan shared that in the past month, airfare prices have doubled. The ticket from Quetta to Karachi, Lahore, or Islamabad, which was previously priced between 20,000 to 30,000 PKR, has now surged to 70,000 PKR. For example, a ticket from Quetta to Islamabad, which was priced at 40,000 PKR just a few days ago, can now be available for 30,000 PKR after a week. Similarly, a ticket from Quetta to Karachi, which costs between 30,000 to 35,000 PKR, will be available for 18,000 to 20,000 PKR after a week. Tickets for Quetta to Lahore are priced between 70,000 to 75,000 PKR, but these drop to 63,000 to 68,000 PKR a week later.

Passenger Imran Khan, who frequently travels to Karachi due to health reasons, shared his frustration. He used to travel by road, but due to frequent closures of the Quetta-Karachi National Highway, he was compelled to take air travel. However, the soaring airfares have now made air travel unaffordable. He urged the government to take effective steps to ensure the public has access to affordable travel options.

In response to these travel difficulties, the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry has written a letter to the Federal Minister for Aviation. The letter highlights the ongoing security concerns and the closure of national highways, which makes road travel difficult. It also points out that only one train operates from Quetta to Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and only two trains run weekly to Karachi. For businesspeople and other travelers, air travel remains the only viable option, but reduced flight availability has led to inflated prices. The Chamber has called for action to prevent excessive fare hikes by private airlines and urged the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other carriers to increase flights from Quetta to meet demand.

The skyrocketing airfares are creating significant challenges for the public, particularly the business community in Balochistan, and urgent measures are needed to address these issues.