TAFTAN: A shutter-down strike was observed and a protest rally held against the prolonged closure of Bazarcha terminal gate at Taftan, a town near the Pakistan-Iran border in the Chagai district, on Sunday.

Markets and shops in the area remained closed following a call given by the local leadership of different political parties and traders.

The protesters marched on various roads and staged a demonstration.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) leader Maulvi Najeebullah, tribal elders Haji Essa Khan Sherzai and Sardar Abdul Raheem Khilji, Pak Sarzamin Party’s Sharif Mengal and trader Haji Shoukat Baloch addressed the protesters.

They said the terminal was the main source of income for local traders and hundreds of labourers, but unfortunately, it has been closed by Pakistani authorities due to unknown reasons for two years.

They said the terminal was used for importing Iranian commodities, including construction materials.

They urged the authorities to reopen the terminal and warned that if their demands were not met, they will block the main RCD Highway and completely shut the border.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2022