Balochistan Opposition Alliance Vows to Intensify Protests After Crackdown on Workers
QUETTA:Leaders of the opposition parties’ alliance in Balochistan, **All Parties**, have accused the government of unleashing violent crackdowns on their peaceful workers and leaders following province-wide protests. Addressing a joint press conference at Quetta Press Club on Monday, leaders including **Lala Abdul Rauf (PkMAP), Sajid Tareen Advocate (BNP), Asghar Achakzai (ANP), Aslam Baloch (National Party), Zahid Akhtar (JI), and Dawood Shah Achakzai (PTI)** condemned baton charges, tear gas shelling, and raids on political offices.
They said the government, “imposed through Form-47,” tried to sabotage the **September 8 wheel-jam and shutter-down strike** called in protest against the **September 2 suicide bombing** at a BNP rally that killed at least 15 and injured over 35. They alleged that police even attacked the **PkMAP office with tear gas four times**, but “our ideological and democratic workers stood firm and made the protest successful.”
The leaders claimed the government failed in its attempts to force traders to open markets and transporters to resume services. They further alleged that two workers were injured due to police violence and are under treatment at Trauma Center Quetta.
The opposition parties announced that their struggle will continue, stating:
* On **September 11 (Thursday)**, protests will be staged outside press clubs across Balochistan, including Quetta, at 3 pm.
* On **September 13 (Saturday)**, senior leadership of the alliance will meet to finalize the **next phase of the protest movement**, which could include tougher actions if their demands are not met.
They also condemned the **mass arrests of hundreds of central, provincial, and district-level leaders and workers**, demanding their immediate release.
“This crackdown and use of state machinery cannot suppress our peaceful democratic movement. We will not allow anyone to usurp Balochistan’s resources,” the leaders asserted.
