Ali Hamza
QUETTA: Rahim Kakar, President of the Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajiran Balochistan (Registered), has warned that traders will suspend the supply of commercial goods to Balochistan if national highways are not cleared and made secure within the next five days.
Speaking at a joint press conference at the Quetta Press Club alongside representatives of goods transporters and bus associations, Kakar expressed grave concern over the worsening law and order situation on the province’s highways.
He said transporters continue to face kidnappings, extortion, highway robberies, and attacks on commercial vehicles, making it increasingly difficult to move goods safely between Karachi, Quetta, and other parts of Balochistan.
According to the traders’ representatives, major highways passing through Kalat, Surab, Khuzdar, Taftan, Panjgur, and Dalbandin have become increasingly unsafe. They alleged that more than 105 trucks, oil tankers, and buses have been set on fire in separate incidents, causing financial losses worth billions of rupees.
The organizations also claimed that several truck drivers had been kidnapped, valuable cargo looted, and transport workers threatened with death. Imported goods vehicles and LPG tankers travelling through the Taftan and Panjgur routes were also said to have come under repeated attacks.
Kakar criticized the authorities for failing to improve highway security despite repeated assurances, alleging that criminal incidents had occurred even near security checkpoints.
He said the proposed protest would be supported by the All Pakistan Mazda Truck Association, Bus Coach Associations, and several other transport organizations.
Kakar emphasized that the planned suspension is intended to protect the lives of drivers, transport workers, and traders rather than inconvenience the public. However, he warned that halting the movement of goods could disrupt the supply of flour, sugar, cooking oil, pulses, medicines, and other essential commodities, potentially leading to shortages and higher prices across the province.
He urged the federal and provincial governments to restore the state’s writ on national highways by strengthening security along the Karachi–Quetta, Quetta–Taftan, Quetta–Dalbandin, and other major trade routes. He also called for permanent highway patrols, a rapid response mechanism, secure trade corridors, and strict action against those involved in kidnappings, extortion, robberies, and arson attacks on commercial vehicles.
Rahim Kakar warned that if the highways are not cleared and made safe for traffic within five days, traders will suspend the supply of commercial goods to Balochistan and expand their protest campaign. He added that responsibility for any disruption in trade, transport, and the supply of essential commodities would rest with the authorities if effective security measures are not implemented.
