Sardar Muhammad Khondai:
CHAMAN: In a show of solidarity, the Chaman Pickup Datsun Union Association brought traffic on the Quetta-Chaman inter-highway to a standstill at Gurang, demanding the fulfillment of their long-standing demands. Despite prolonged negotiations held late into the night, the talks failed to yield a resolution. They were protesting against Customs officials and leveled serious allegations against them.
Assistant Commissioner Zohaib Khan, along with Risaldar Jahangir Khan and Dafdar Gur Khan, representing the Chaman administration, engaged in discussions with the Pickup Datsun Union Association leaders. The union leaders expressed their frustration, highlighting that they had been given assurances for the past two years.
The union leaders stressed that they relied on employment opportunities at the Pak-Afghan border to support their families, and high-ranking customs officials had promised them the green light to resume loading the following day. Feeling let down and disrespected, they made it clear that their protest was solely directed against the customs regulations.
They firmly asserted that they would not allow cargo trucks to resume operation until their demands were met, vowing to continue their protest. The livelihoods of their children are intricately linked to the border activities, and they called for the customs authorities to either address their concerns or provide alternative employment opportunities for their families.
The Pickup Datsun Union Association’s determination to advocate for their members’ rights continues to disrupt the critical Quetta-Chaman inter-highway, emphasizing the significance of resolving their issues promptly. This ongoing protest serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing the concerns of these vital labor force contributors.
