Red Zone Closures Paralyze Traffic in Quetta, Causing Hardship for Commuters

QUETTA: Traffic across Quetta was severely disrupted after all routes leading to the city’s Red Zone were closed with trucks and shipping containers due to heightened security measures.

Authorities also sealed the road connecting Anscomb Road, Sabzal Road, and Brewery Road, where the University of Balochistan’s sub-campus is located. The road closures caused heavy congestion across the city, with long queues of vehicles reported on major roads.

The traffic gridlock created significant difficulties for government and private-sector employees, students, patients, and other commuters, who struggled to reach their destinations amid intense summer heat.

Alternative routes also became heavily congested, resulting in slow-moving traffic and extended travel times in several parts of the city.

Residents criticized the security arrangements, arguing that shutting down major roads to protect a small number of VIPs should not come at the expense of disrupting the daily lives of millions of citizens.

They said repeated road closures negatively affect office attendance, students’ education, business activities, and timely access to hospitals for patients. Some citizens suggested that authorities should adopt alternative security measures that ensure the safety of public officials while minimizing inconvenience to the general public.