GWADAR: Several political parties and traders of Turbat have threatened to go on strike in the entire Kech district if the government does not take measures to control the law and order situation.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, All Parties and Activists Alliance District Kech’s convener Moh­ammad Jan Dashti, chairman Haleem Baloch and Ishaq Roshan Das­hti expressed concern over inc­r­easing incidents of thefts, robberies and other crimes in the Kech district.

Local leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Balochistan National Party-Mengal, BNP-Awami and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl were also present during the press conference.

They said that cases of theft, robberies and murders had increased at alarming levels and had even organised protests and also held meetings with the authorities concerned, but the situation did not improve.

“We also held meetings with the provincial home minister and IG Police and apprised them of the whole situation but no practical steps have been taken so far,” they claimed and added that they extended cooperation to the administration and gave it appropriate time but no positive step had been taken in this regard.

Leaders of the Traders Associ­at­ion also said that all political parties, civil society and traders had unanimously decided to record their protest in a democratic manner, because they were left with no other choice.

“If the accused are not apprehended we will observe a shutter down strike on Oct 14 and later we will spread our protest across the province,” they said.

They regretted that despite installation of CCTV cameras on all streets and setting up of security check-posts anti-social elements were carrying out their criminal activities.

“The Kech Bar Association has also supported our strike call,” they said.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2019