All Balochistan Coach Service Officials Demand Compensation for Burnt Bus, Threaten Strike

Quetta, Balochistan:Officials from All Balochistan Coach Service have condemned the recent attack on a private bus in Balochistan’s Sherani district, asserting that it was not an act carried out by a specific individual but rather the work of terrorists. They have demanded compensation for the burnt bus and warned that, if their demand is not met, bus services to Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will remain suspended.

In a press conference at a private bus terminal on Airport Road, officials including Malik Majid Kakr, Waheed Khan Kakr, Haji Saadullah Kakr, Zahir Shah, Sardar Habib, Khanzada Iqbal Sargah, Haji Ghulam Ali, and Haji Nazar Jan expressed their concerns. They extended condolences to the family of the person killed in the accident three days ago and reiterated that bus owners and drivers never wish for accidents to occur. “The people who die in traffic accidents are someone’s father or brother,” they said.

The officials criticized the poor road conditions in Balochistan, particularly in areas like Zhob, Sherani, Danna Sar, and Loralai, where they claimed roads are non-existent. They urged both the federal and provincial governments to pay more attention to road infrastructure development. “The transport sector is the livelihood of the people of Pakistan, but the government is trying to push it to the margins,” they said.

Furthermore, they highlighted that transporters face dangerous conditions on national highways, where both criminals and authorities appear to be working in unison. They pointed to the unsafe situation in Dera Ismail Khan, where transport vehicles are not allowed to operate during the day due to security threats, and the difficulties faced by transporters in Punjab, which they claim have been subjecting Balochistani buses to harassment.

“We demand the government compensate for the burnt bus, and if our demand is not accepted, we will protest by blocking roads in Balochistan,” they warned. The officials also called for the government to address the issue of smuggling at borders, which they claimed often involves harassment of elderly and women passengers under the guise of anti-smuggling efforts. If the government does not intervene, they warned that this strike will become a major issue for the state.

They also criticized the toll plaza in Qilla Saifullah, calling it unjustified in an area with poor road conditions. “Toll plazas should be established where roads exist,” they stated. They pointed out the mistreatment of Balochistani travelers in Punjab, stating that if these incidents continue, they would start targeting Punjab-based buses in Balochistan.

In response to a question, they added that if drivers violate protocols, bus owners should fire them, stressing that Balochistani drivers are not involved in smuggling, and the public should not be harassed under the guise of anti-smuggling measures.