QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court on Wednesday ordered a comprehensive survey of Joint Road in Quetta to examine traffic obstructions caused by shops located opposite a proposed filling station, and issues relating to the road-widening project. The court also sought reports from relevant authorities.

A two-judge BHC bench comprising Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Muhammad Najmuddin Mengal issued the directives while hearing the case.

The bench directed the director of the Balochistan Traffic Engineering Bureau to coordinate with the director general of the bureau and ensure a comprehensive survey of Joint Road in the presence of representatives from the Advocate General’s Office, Pakistan Railways, and the petitioner or their counsel.

The court was informed that shops situated in front of the proposed filling station were disrupting traffic flow and could create another bottleneck on the road.

Counsel for the petitioner said a site inspection had also been conducted. However, he said, despite a decision to remove shops situated on the opposite side of the road in front of the proposed filling station, the necessary steps had not been taken.

The bench observed that the matter could not be resolved without a proper site inspection and a comprehensive survey.

The Advocate General’s Office was directed to obtain reports from the Quetta Metropolitan Corporation and the revenue officer regarding existing, newly constructed and proposed shops on both sides of Joint Road and submit them to the court.

The advocate general was appointed convener of the committee and tasked with conducting the survey, while a representative of the Advocate General’s Office will determine the date of the exercise.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel also raised objections to reports submitted by the Commissioner of Quetta Division and Pakistan Railways. The court expressed concern over the failure to submit the complete PC-I document for the road-widening project, noting that only one page had been provided.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2026