News Desk:Â
The issue of women’s lack of access to toilets on Balochistan’s major highways has reached the Balochistan High Court, where three well-known social activists — Fauzia Shaheen, Kulsoom Baloch, and Dr. Quratulain Bakhtiari — have filed a constitutional petition demanding immediate action.
According to the petition, thousands of women travel daily on national routes including the N-10, N-25, N-30, and N-40, yet most of these long stretches have no dedicated public toilets for women. This situation, they argue, forces female passengers into distressing and unsafe conditions, especially during long intercity journeys.
Kulsoom Baloch explained that on the heavily frequented Quetta–Karachi highway, there is no women’s toilet available between Mastung and Kalat, leaving women with no safe option. She added that although Khuzdar has a restroom at a bus stop, it usually remains unhygienic and overcrowded, making it practically unusable.
The activists state that while the number of women travellers has steadily increased, the government has failed to address even the most essential needs. They argue that the absence of proper facilities violates women’s constitutional rights, particularly in remote regions where cultural norms already make travel more restrictive for women.
The petition urges the court to direct the provincial government, the National Highway Authority (NHA), and relevant departments to immediately establish clean, safe, and accessible public toilets for women along highways, public spaces, and government offices.
The case is expected to be heard next week.
