QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Friday directed law-enforcement agencies to adopt effective strategies to prevent “illegal closure” of highways and solve problems of the people immediately.

The chief minister gave the directive while presiding over a meeting about law and order and illegal closure of national highways here.

According to Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind, national highways have been closed 76 times for various reasons since January 1.

The chief minister, Mr Rind said, expressed deep concern over frequent road and highway closures and ordered law-enforcement agencies to prepare an effective strategy to prevent these incidents.

The chief minister said that all such districts where roads are still closed, highways should be reopened immediately, otherwise action will be taken against officers concerned.

The chief minister, the spokesman said, once again issued orders to impose Section 144 in the province to prevent “illegal activities”.

The spokesperson said that it is the right of every citizen to protest, but blocking of national highways will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

He said that some elements are trying to harass passengers by using women and children as shields, which is unacceptable and such activities will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2025