QUETTA: A widespread strike by landowners on Thursday to protest power outages disrupted traffic on the highways that link Balochistan to other regions.

The protesters staged blockades on multiple key locations, including Lak Pass, Dasht, Kolpur, Yarrow, Syed Hameed Cross, Khanozai, Kila Saifullah Bazar, Loralai-D.I. Khan Road, Zhob Road, Ziarat Bazar, Nushki, Sabi, Taftan RCD, Kharan, Mangochar, Saurab, and Saryab Mill.

The strike, organised by the Zamindar Action Committee against power outages by the Qesco supply company, effectively severed Balochistan’s connections with other provinces.

The Quetta-Karachi Highway remained closed during the strike, and blockades were also set up on the Quetta-Chaman, Quetta-Kila Saifullah, and Quetta-Sibbi highways.

This disruption affected Afghan transit trade and hindered the movement of Afghan refugees returning to Afghanistan. Notably, ambulances and vehicles with emergency needs were allowed to pass during the strike.

Malik Naseer Shahwani, the chairman of the Zamindars Action Committee, along with Malik Abdul Majeed Mashwani and others, protested by blocking the road at the Lak Pass area.

The closure of these highways caused significant inconvenience for passengers, with the Quetta-Karachi Highway blocked at Lak Pass and the Quetta-Taftan Highway closed at Nushki.

The protesters emphasised their demand for a consistent eight-hour electricity supply to agricultural feeders. Currently, agricultural feeders receive electricity at low voltage for only three hours daily.

This insufficient power supply adversely impacts agriculture in Balochistan, particularly during the wheat cultivation season.

The landowners view this as an exploitation by Qesco and have declared that their protest will persist until the government ensures sufficient electricity supply.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2023