Border traders announce protest against closure of Pak-Iran border
From Our Correspondent :
Border traders union have announced a phase-wise protest against the closure of the Pak-Iran border. Speaking at a news conference, Gulzar Dost Baloch, the central leader of the border traders union lamented that the government has failed to reopen the border despite repeated assurances.
Mr. Baloch stated that the jobs of thousands of people from various parts of Balochistan in general and the Mekran belt, in particular, were linked with the Pak-Iran border. “We demand immediate reopening of the border”, he said.
Political parties demand solution to traders issues at the border
Political parties, tribal elders, and people belonging to various walks of life have demanded of the federal and provincial governments to take practical steps to address the border issue. Opposition legislators in Balochistan Assembly have also expressed a concerned voice-over continued closure of the border.
Gulzar Dost Baloch announced that a shutter down strike would be observed on April 27th in Turbat, Hoshap, Buleda, Zamran, and other parts of the Mekran belt. On April 29th, the traders whose jobs associated with the Pak-Iran border would block highways in Mekran, Mr. Baloch informed.
The issues of people living near the Iranian border were also one of the trends on the social media network Twitter. Thousands took to Twitter and tweeted in the support of traders and local people in Mekran and demanded solutions to their issues.
On humanitarian grounds, we would not stop ambulances, Gulzar Dost Baloch announced.
Pakistan shares a 900km border with Iran
Pakistan shares over 900km long border with neighboring Iran in the South and West. Pakistan is also fencing off the border with Iran to stop illegal movement and smuggling.
Most of the work on over 900km long border has been completed, a security official said. He declined to be named. Pakistan has also tightened security at the border with Iran recently.
The two countries have also established a joint border commission that reviews matters relating to the border after every quarter.
