Traders in Quetta Protest Load Shedding, Smart Lockdown Impact on Businesses

Quetta:The spokesperson for the Central Traders Organization Balochistan, Kashif Haideri, has strongly criticized the dual challenges of unannounced power outages and the enforcement of a smart lockdown, saying they have made life extremely difficult for traders and the public alike.

Addressing a meeting, he said that while business centers and shops are being forced to close by 8:00 PM under the smart lockdown policy, prolonged and unannounced load shedding has already crippled commercial activities even before closure hours.

He noted that with the onset of summer, power outages throughout the day have become routine, and electricity is often unavailable for hours even during the evening—one of the most crucial times for business. “First electricity is cut off, and then under the smart lockdown, shops are shut at 8 PM, leaving no time for business activities,” he said.

Haideri added that small traders are facing severe hardships, especially those whose businesses depend on electricity, which have been almost entirely disrupted. The reduced business hours due to the lockdown have further compounded their losses.

He stated that in the current situation, traders are struggling to meet expenses such as shop rents, heavy electricity bills, employees’ salaries, and other operational costs. “Most of the business hours are lost to load shedding, and whatever little time remains is restricted by the lockdown,” he said, adding that the trader community is under immense stress.

He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the smart lockdown and an end to unannounced load shedding, urging authorities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during business hours. Otherwise, he warned, traders may be forced to take to the streets in protest.