GWADAR: A shutter-down strike was observed by traders in three Makran districts — Gwadar, Panjgur and Turbat — on Wednesday in protest against deteriorating law and order in the region and kidnapping incidents.

The strike call was given by an alliance of major political parties, and all segments of society, including businesses, participated in it. Throughout the day, financial institutions, as well as large and small commercial centres, remained closed to express solidarity with a tycoon from Turbat, Shah Nawaz Gul Rind, who was kidnapped in December by unidentified armed men. According to the family of the kidnapped businessman, the abductors had demanded Rs600 million in return for Mr Rind’s release.

Multi-party alliance demands recovery of kidnapped businessman, improved security

As the businessman remained missing, the All Parties Alliance subsequently appealed for a shutter-down strike in all three districts of Makran.

The alliance and the residents urged the government and law enforcement agencies to take immediate steps to ensure Shah Nawaz Gul Rind’s safe release and arrest those involved in the abduction.

The All Parties Alliance comprises the National Party, the Balochistan National Party (BNP), the Pakistan Peoples Party, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and BNP (Awami), along with other political parties.

The leaders of the alliance said that their protest would continue till the recovery of the kidnapped businessman and others.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2026