Abdullah Lehri, News Desk:
QUETTA: The repeated blockades of the Karachi-Quetta National Highway have caused severe hardships for passengers, with thousands stranded for hours, including a wedding procession.
On Thursday, coaches that departed Karachi in the morning were stuck near Bela for three to four hours due to a roadblock. Later, another blockade in Wadh forced them to halt again, leaving passengers, including women, children, and elderly individuals, in distress.
“We have been stuck for hours without food or water. Women and children are suffering the most, and no official has come to help,” said Azeem Baloch, a passenger traveling with his sick father for medical treatment in Karachi.
Passengers have expressed frustration over the deteriorating situation, saying they have lost confidence in traveling by road. With frequent disruptions, airfare between Karachi and Quetta has surged from Rs. 17,000-18,000 to Rs. 38,000-40,000, making air travel unaffordable for many.
“I was traveling with my family for my sister’s wedding, but we are stranded in the middle of nowhere. The delay has ruined our plans,” said another passenger, Irfan Ahmed.
The highway is a crucial route for Balochistan’s poor, who often travel to Karachi for medical treatment. However, persistent blockades have made their journey unbearable. Despite repeated demands, the government has failed to ensure the uninterrupted flow of traffic, leaving travelers at the mercy of uncertain road conditions.
