KHUZDAR: Dozens of people, including women and children, blocked the Quetta-Karachi highway near Khuzdar on Sunday in protest against shortage of water in the city.
The protesters placed blockades on the highway. They raised slogans against the government, urging it to take immediate measures to resolve the issue of water shortage in Khuzdar.
They alleged that some water projects were being launched in the city to provide water only to influential people, adding that poor people were being compelled to purchase water through tankers.
Hundreds of vehicles were stranded for hours due to the protest on the highway, causing difficulty to a large number of passengers, including women and children.
The member of Balochistan Assembly from Khuzdar, Younus Aziz Zehri, and officials of police and the district administration held negotiations with protesters at the highway.
The protesters informed the officials that their areas were facing acute shortage of water. They said that against their tribal traditions women and children had taken part in the protest because they no other option.
Mr Zehri directed the officials concerned to take immediate measures for resolving the issue of water shortage in Khuzdar.
He assured the protesters that the problem would be solved on a priority basis.
On the officials’ assurance the protesters dispersed peacefully.
Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2018
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