GWADAR: All Parties Kech on Sunday staged a protest in Turbat against restrictions on cross-border trade and business activities, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, enforced disappearances, and the closure of border points with Iran.

A large number of political workers, traders, businessmen, labourers, students, and civil society activists participated in the demonstration outside the Turbat Press Club. The rally was led by All Parties Kech leaders Fida Jan Buledi, Ghulam Yasin Baloch, Zarif Zedag, Younas Javed, Dr Ali Jan, Advocate Mashkoor Anwar, Mohammad Jan Dashti, Maulana Javed Noumani, and others.

The protesters carried banners and placards demanding restoration of cross-border trade, guaranteed access for locals to the border areas, removal of check-posts between Nasirabad and Hoshab, clearance of road blockades, and withdrawal of taxes imposed on Iranian food items.

Addressing the rally, Mr Buledi said closure of the Iran border was unacceptable as cross-border trade had historically been a major source of livelihood for locals.

Speakers, at the rally, also expressed concerns about the law and order situation in the city.

They presented three key demands: immediate restoration of law and order in Kech, reopening of border trade and all commercial and fuel crossings, and an end to the closure of roads, markets, courts and hospitals in the name of security. They also called for greater space for peaceful political expression.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2026