Senator Kamran Murtaza Warns of Humanitarian Crisis in Mastung’s Khad Kocha Amid Prolonged Curfew
ISLAMABAD/QUETTA: Senator Kamran Murtaza, President of the Lawyers Forum Pakistan and a senior leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F), has expressed grave concern over the three-day curfew imposed in Khad Kocha, a sub-tehsil of Mastung district, warning that the prolonged restrictions are giving rise to a serious humanitarian crisis.
Calling for the immediate lifting of the curfew on humanitarian grounds, Kamran Murtaza said the continuing restrictions have paralyzed the daily lives of thousands of residents and severely disrupted the supply of food, medicines, clean drinking water, and other essential necessities.
Speaking to a news agency, he said that residents of Khad Kocha and adjoining areas are facing immense hardships. Patients are unable to reach hospitals in time, while elderly citizens, women, children, and other vulnerable groups are suffering due to the lack of access to basic services.
He warned that if immediate measures are not taken, the situation could deteriorate further and lead to a major humanitarian tragedy.
The senator stated that the curfew has also badly affected the local economy. Standing crops, vegetables, orchards, and fruits are being destroyed because they cannot be transported to markets on time, causing farmers to suffer significant financial losses.
He noted that agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for people in rural Balochistan, and the prolonged curfew has pushed many farming families into severe economic difficulties.
Kamran Murtaza added that daily wage earners have been confined to their homes, depriving them of their only source of income. Local traders and shopkeepers are also bearing heavy losses due to the closure of markets, suspension of transportation, and disruption of business activities.
He emphasized that it is the constitutional and legal responsibility of the state to ensure not only the restoration of peace and security but also the protection of citizens’ fundamental human rights. According to him, no security measure should deprive people of access to healthcare, food, clean drinking water, medicines, and freedom of movement for essential purposes.
The senator urged the federal government, the Government of Balochistan, the district administration, and relevant law enforcement agencies to immediately review the curfew in Khad Kocha. He suggested that if security considerations do not permit its complete withdrawal, authorities should at least relax restrictions during specified hours each day to enable residents to meet their basic needs and ensure the uninterrupted supply of food and medicines.
He also called for the establishment of emergency medical camps in the affected areas, unhindered access for ambulance services, arrangements for the provision of clean drinking water, and the distribution of ration packages among needy families to alleviate their hardships.
Kamran Murtaza said that various social, political, and public circles across Balochistan have also demanded an end to the curfew and urged the government to take immediate notice of the difficulties being faced by residents. He stressed the need for a balanced approach that safeguards both public security and the welfare of ordinary citizens.
Concluding his statement, he urged the government to prioritize the protection of human lives, address the grievances of affected families, and take prompt and effective measures to restore normalcy so that the people of Khad Kocha can return to their everyday lives.
