QUETTA: Traffic between Quetta and northern Balochistan cities grounded to a halt on Saturday when outraged tribesmen and relatives of a kidnapped 11-year-old boy blocked the Quetta-Chaman highway at the Baleli area of the provincial capital.

Traffic jam was also witnessed on several roads in the city, as the protesters created hurdles in the movement of the traffic, rendering the Afghan transit trade and other import and export business suspended.

The protesters blocked the highway at Pakistan Customs check post in Baleli, putting barricades and parking large numbers of vehicles in the morning as the kidnapped student could not be traced till Saturday.

Police and other law enforcement agencies claimed to have conducted raids at suspected hideouts of abductors for safe recovery of the young student.

The protesters blocked traffic on the airport road near Askari Park. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the airport road and in other areas, causing hardships to motorists.

Traffic on several roads, Quetta-Chaman highway remains suspended

“We have no knowledge of the whereabouts of abducted boy so far and no one has contacted the family,” Haji Raz Mohammad Kakar, the father of the kidnapped student, said.

Markets closed

Showing solidarity with the affected family of the kidnapped boy whose grandfather is a jeweller, all jewellers’ shops and markets remained closed. The call for the shutdown was given by the Balochistan Jewellers’ Association (BJA).

A protest rally was also staged by jewellers, led by BJA president. They marched on various roads carrying banners and placards, inscribed with their demands.

At the rally, speakers raised concerns about the law enforcement agencies, asserting that it was the responsibility of the government to ensure public safety.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2024