Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch Criticizes Long Delays at Check Posts, Calls for Immediate Reforms
Quetta: Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan chief and member of the provincial assembly, Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch, has strongly criticized the treatment of travelers at security check posts across Balochistan, describing the prolonged delays and alleged mistreatment of citizens as a grave injustice, administrative failure, and violation of public rights.
Speaking during meetings with various delegations in Quetta, Hidayat ur Rehman said that passengers, women, elderly people, patients, children, and persons with disabilities are frequently forced to wait for hours at checkpoints without justification. He stated that instead of providing convenience, protection, and dignity, authorities are adding to the hardships faced by the public.
According to the Jamaat-e-Islami leader, long queues of passenger vehicles, buses, and other forms of transport have become a routine sight on highways across Balochistan. He said that travelers are often left waiting in extreme heat, causing health risks and significant loss of valuable time.
Hidayat ur Rehman further claimed that excessive delays, coupled with hunger, thirst, and harsh weather conditions, have turned travel into an ordeal for many residents. He alleged that in some cases, patients requiring urgent medical treatment were unable to reach hospitals on time, while students, job seekers, and businesspeople also faced serious difficulties.
While acknowledging the importance of security measures, he emphasized that protecting the dignity, lives, and time of citizens is also a fundamental responsibility of the state. He urged authorities to introduce modern and efficient systems that would ensure security without subjecting travelers to unnecessary waiting, repeated questioning, or mistreatment.
The lawmaker called on the federal and provincial governments, the National Highway Authority (NHA), relevant security institutions, and district administrations to develop a coordinated mechanism to maintain smooth traffic flow at checkpoints and provide special facilities for patients, women, elderly citizens, and emergency cases.
He warned that government and institutional negligence was pushing the public toward protest and unrest. If citizens’ grievances are not addressed promptly, he said, growing public frustration could lead to further problems, for which the concerned authorities would be held responsible.
Hidayat ur Rehman reiterated that Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan would continue to raise its voice on all constitutional, democratic, and parliamentary forums for the protection of citizens’ rights, dignity, safety, and access to better travel facilities until these issues are resolved.
