Jiwani Main Highway Must Reopen Within 24 Hours After August 14, Warns Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman

QUETTA: Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan Emir and Haq Do Tehreek Gwadar leader Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman Baloch has warned that he will stage a sit-in at Panwan along with local residents if the main Jiwani highway is not reopened within 24 hours after August 14.

In a statement issued by Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan, Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman said the prolonged closure of the main highway had caused severe difficulties for residents, particularly patients and people needing to travel for essential purposes.

Speaking at various events and meeting delegations in Gwadar, he said the unjustified closure of roads, looting on highways, burning of trucks and harassment of innocent and uninvolved citizens in Gwadar and other areas were condemnable. He described the situation as a result of government and institutional failure.

He expressed regret over the deaths of security personnel in the July 3 attack in Panwan, Jiwani, and said he had condemned the incident. However, he noted that more than a month had passed since the attack while the main Jiwani highway remained closed.

Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman said the continued closure had made life extremely difficult for ordinary citizens. Patients were facing problems reaching Gwadar and other areas for medical treatment, while people travelling for their daily needs were also being severely affected.

He said the Balochistan government had repeatedly stated that main highways would not be closed, but the situation on the ground was contrary to these assurances, with the Jiwani highway still blocked.

The Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan emir said keeping major highways closed for extended periods was not in the public interest. He added that those who block roads and create difficulties for citizens were not acting in the interests of the country or the people and were instead contributing to further deterioration of the situation.

Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman said he would tolerate the situation until August 14 in view of security concerns. However, if the main Jiwani highway remained closed for another 24 hours after August 14, he would join the public in staging a sit-in at Panwan on the Jiwani highway.

He called on the Balochistan government and relevant authorities to immediately take notice of the difficulties faced by citizens, reopen the Jiwani main highway and ensure safe and unrestricted movement for the public.