PKMAP Condemns Alleged Highway Robbery of Bereaved Family, Demands Probe into Law and Order in Balochistan

QUETTA: The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PKMAP) has strongly condemned the alleged robbery of a bereaved family on the Quetta-Karachi Highway, calling for an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident and raising concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan.

In a statement issued by the party’s provincial secretariat, PKMAP alleged that large stretches of the Quetta-Karachi Highway, particularly the Mastung, Mangochar, and Khuzdar areas, have effectively fallen under the control of armed groups, robbers, militants, and criminal elements.

According to the party, the incident occurred after a traffic accident near Khuzdar on July 17 claimed the lives of three members of a family from Muslim Bagh. The grieving relatives were transporting the bodies back to their hometown when, near Mangochar, armed robbers allegedly stopped their vehicles and robbed them of cash, mobile phones, national identity cards, and other valuables.

The party described the incident as a grave violation of human dignity, stating that even the sanctity of funeral processions had been disregarded.

PKMAP further alleged that a Frontier Corps (FC) fort was located only a short distance from the scene. According to the party, the victims informed FC personnel that the armed suspects were still nearby, but no pursuit, road blockade, or immediate assistance was reportedly provided. The statement claimed that the family was instead told they should be thankful they had reached the area safely.

The party said the alleged lack of response raises serious questions about public security and the performance of institutions responsible for maintaining law and order. It added that increasing incidents of terrorism, kidnappings for ransom, highway robberies, extortion, and other criminal activities have left citizens feeling increasingly insecure.

PKMAP demanded the formation of an independent and transparent inquiry committee to investigate the Mangochar incident, arrest those responsible along with any alleged facilitators, and ensure they are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The party also called for an investigation into the response of security personnel stationed near the scene, urging authorities to determine whether there was any negligence or failure to act and, if so, to take legal action against those found responsible.

Concluding its statement, PKMAP urged the federal and provincial governments to move beyond public statements and restore the writ of the state on national highways by taking effective action against militant groups, armed robbers, and other criminal elements, while ensuring the protection of citizens’ lives, property, and freedom of movement.