QUETTA: The district authorities in Kalat and Khuzdar have directed traders and the business community to close shops in the evening and advised residents to remain indoors at night due to security concerns.
Political and business leaders in both cities of Balochistan confirmed the development, saying the measures effectively amount to a night-time curfew. They warned that the restrictions would create difficulties for the general public.
Government officials, however, maintained that no formal curfew has been imposed. They described the measures as a precautionary night-time lockdown implemented because of security concerns.
Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove said no notification had been issued imposing a curfew in any city of the province.
Hafiz Qasim Lehri, a member of the central general council of JUI-F, said traders had been asked to shut their shops at 6pm, while residents were instructed to remain indoors from 10pm to 7am. “In practical terms, a night curfew has been imposed in Kalat,” he said.
Qadir Bakhsh Mengal, a BNP leader, said the entry and exit routes to Kalat had also been closed.
In Khuzdar, a senior trader said officials from the administration and police had visited the city and instructed shopkeepers to close their businesses. He said the authorities cited security threats, explaining that the restrictions were intended to prevent civilian casualties in the event of an emergency operation.
Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026
