QUETTA, Aug 5: Traffic remained suspended for 12 hours on the Quetta-Karachi-Taftan section of the National Highway which was blocked by transporters on the call of All Balochistan Transport Action Committee to protest against shifting of bus stand to Hazarganji.

Haji Nabi Dad Lehri, president of All Balochistan United Mini Bus Association, told Dawn on Saturday that they had blocked the highway at Lakpass and Kanak from 2am to 2pm in protest against the city nazim’s discriminatory decision.

He said on the assurance of the provincial police officer, they removed obstructions and opened the highway.

Meanwhile Provincial Police Officer (PPO) Chaudhary Muhammad Yaqoob chaired a meeting that was attended by the city nazim, the DCO Quetta, the DG Quetta Development Authority and transporters’ representatives Haji Qadir Raisani and others.

A spokesman for the city district government claimed that in the meeting the representatives of transports agreed to shift the terminus of Karachi-bound coaches from the Sariab Road to the Badani link-road.

He said the meeting constituted a committee headed by Naib City Nazim Manzoor Kakar to formulate recommendations and suggestion in consultation with the representatives of transport unions on shifting of the buse stand to Hazarganji.

However, Haji Qadir Raisani rejected the assertion of the spokesperson, saying that in the meeting they had suggested postponement of the shifting for ten days till return of the chief minister.

TEACHERS’ STRIKE: Teachers of government colleges in the province observed a token strike and boycotted classes.