CHAGAI: The pilgrims who returned from Iran held a demonstration on Monday against the delay in their return home and demanded an immediate end to quarantine at the Taftan border.

Hundreds of pilgrims participated in the rally by chanting slogans against the local administration.

According to official sources, the enraged pilgrims, who have been quarantined in Pakistan House for 11 days, broke all barriers and started marching on RCD Highway towards Nokkundi. Later, they blocked the highway suspending the traffic for several hours.

Taftan Assistant Commissioner Najeebullah Qambrani said he, along with other officials, held talks with the protesters for several hours and gave the assurance of safe and soon return home towns and cities would be made possible after making the arrangements in this regard.

Sources said more than 200 pilgrims marched almost 20 kilometres on foot; however, the local authorities persuaded them to end their protest.

While talking to Dawn on phone, Assistant Commissioner Qambrani made it clear that the local administration would act upon the instructions of higher authorities regarding the movement of pilgrims.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2020