Balochistan Highways Handed Over to Terrorists, Government Failed to Protect Public and Traders: Traders Association

Quetta: The Central Anjuman-e-Tajiran Balochistan has accused the provincial and federal authorities of failing to protect citizens, traders, and transporters amid worsening law and order conditions in the province.

In a joint statement, President of Central Anjuman-e-Tajiran Balochistan Rahim Kakar, along with other office-bearers, said that increasing incidents of attacks on national highways, targeting of traders and transporters, burning of cargo vehicles, and attacks on passengers have exposed the government’s failure to ensure the safety of people and their property.

The traders’ body claimed that the writ of the government has weakened in the province and that national highways have effectively been left at the mercy of terrorists and criminal elements despite the presence of numerous security checkpoints.

The statement said that an ongoing strike by retail goods transporters due to insecurity on highways has severely disrupted the supply of essential commodities across several districts of Balochistan. The disruption has affected the transportation of flour, sugar, cooking oil, pulses, medicines, and other daily-use items, raising concerns over shortages and price increases.

The association warned that if immediate and effective measures are not taken, Balochistan could face a serious shortage of essential goods, rising inflation, and a commercial crisis, which would directly impact ordinary citizens.

The traders highlighted recent incidents, including firing on a passenger coach in Mastung and the burning of more than 10 cargo trucks and LPG tankers by militants in Padag area of Noshki. They said such incidents have continued for months, targeting traders, transporters, and civilians on highways.

The statement criticized authorities for issuing only condemnations and assurances after each incident, saying that no effective and decisive action against armed groups was visible on the ground.

The traders said Quetta’s economy heavily depends on commercial activities linked with other districts of Balochistan. Due to the suspension of goods transportation, wholesale and retail businesses in Quetta have been severely affected, with orders being canceled, millions of rupees in investment frozen, and thousands of traders, workers, and their families facing financial difficulties.

They further alleged that cargo vehicles traveling on highways are either set on fire or forced to pay large amounts in extortion, with the financial burden ultimately falling on traders and transporters.

The association questioned the effectiveness of security checkpoints across Balochistan, stating that despite the presence of police, Levies, Frontier Corps, and other law enforcement checkpoints, armed groups continue to carry out attacks, block roads, loot goods, and collect extortion money nearby.

Central Anjuman-e-Tajiran Balochistan demanded that the provincial government, federal government, Commander Southern Command, Inspector General of Police, FC, Levies, and other security institutions immediately restore the state’s writ on national highways.

The traders’ body called for decisive action against those involved in terrorism, extortion, kidnapping, looting, and attacks on cargo vehicles. It also expressed full support for retail goods transporters and other transport organizations, urging authorities to ensure the protection of citizens, traders, and transporters across the province.