Balochistan Grand Alliance Announces Province-Wide Lockdown and Strike on December 30-31

**Quetta (Daily Qudrat):** The Balochistan Grand Alliance organized a massive protest rally involving employees from various government departments. Demonstrators carried placards and black flags as they marched through different city streets, ultimately reaching the Press Club to voice their demands for salary tax reductions and other grievances. A 40-point charter of demands was submitted to the government.

Addressing the rally, Grand Alliance leader Abdul Quddus Kakr said that repeated negotiations had failed, committees were formed merely to waste time, and the government has not taken talks seriously. He criticized the provincial leadership for breaking promises and emphasized that the struggle would continue until the demands are met.

Abdul Quddus Kakr warned that if demands were ignored, decisions would be taken on the streets. He targeted the Chief Minister, stating that while time is available for TikTok, there is none for meeting government employees. Rejecting the excuse of insufficient budget for Dearness Relief Allowance (DRA), he claimed ample funds are available for government luxuries, while 80% of Balochistan’s budget is lost to corruption.

Kakr stressed that although they are government employees, their loyalty lies first with the state. He highlighted the inequality in healthcare, saying rulers’ children receive treatment abroad while the children of ordinary employees suffer. He added that due to the rulers, two sets of rules operate in the same state.

The Balochistan Grand Alliance announced that a province-wide lockdown and strike will be observed on December 30 and 31, during which all government offices will remain closed.