Ali Khan Mandokhail:
Angry tribesmen blocked the main Quetta Islamabad highway near Zhob district against the killing of seven tribesmen on Friday. The highway was blocked for more than 15 hours against the killings.
At least seven tribesmen including a local tribal elder Ahmed Kibzai were killed in a firing incident in the Ghorlam area of district Zhob. Levies’ sources termed the killing as the result of a tribal dispute.
Traffic remains suspended between Quetta and Islamabad
Traffic on the key highway linking Balochistan with Islamabad was completely suspended because of the protest by the tribesmen. They were demanding the arrest of the killers involved in the killing of seven tribesmen. “We want the government to arrest the culprits behind this act”, Abdul Rahim, one of the protesters demanded. He said the tribesmen were killed in a brazen day attack and the attackers are still at large.
Long queues of vehicles were witnessed on the key route linking Balochistan with Islamabad. Passengers especially women and children remained the worst sufferers of the blockade of the highway.
Later on, Muhammad Ramazan Palal, Deputy Commissioner Zhob arrived at the spot and held successful negotiations with protesters. After assurance from the administration, the angry tribesmen agreed to reopen the highway. The traffic was restored after 15 hours.
