Behram Baloch:
GWADAR: A strike called by the All Makran Transport Union has entered its third day on Friday, causing traffic disruption in the coastal belt of Balochistan. Passenger buses and Mazda trucks have been halted in Gwadar, affecting transportation across the three districts of Makran including Panjgur, Kech and Gwadar. As a result, over a hundred pilgrims have been stranded at the Pak-Iran border for the last three days, with mounting concerns over a potential shortage of food supplies.
The strike, which has brought travel in the region to a standstill, is severely impacting patients traveling out of the province for medical treatment. Many are facing serious difficulties as the closure of passenger buses has left them without a means to reach healthcare facilities in Karachi.
The transport union initiated the strike to protest harassment faced by transporters at various checkpoints along the Coastal Highway and RCD Highway. In response to their grievances, transporters have established a camp at Bhawani, parking their vehicles in protest. They have issued a stern warning to the government: if their demands are not met, they will escalate the situation by blocking the highways to all traffic.
The ongoing strike has not only affected local travelers but has also left a significant number of pilgrims stranded at the border, exacerbating concerns over food and supply shortages. The situation remains tense as the province awaits a resolution to the transporters’ demands.
Local authorities are urged to address the transport union’s concerns promptly to prevent further disruption and to ensure that essential services, especially for those requiring medical attention, can resume without delay
