QUETTA, Aug 25: All markets, shopping plazas and business centres were closed down by the local administration here on Saturday evening on eve of the first death anniversary of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Bugti.

Nawab Bugti was killed along with his supporters in a military operation in Kohlu’s Tartani area on Aug 26.

Baloch nationalist parties have appealed to the people of Balochistan to observe a black day on Sunday, set up hunger strike camps and hoist black flags on houses to vent their anger over the killing of the nawab.

They announced that all roads linking the province with other parts of the country would be blocked at entry points and no traffic would be allowed to flow on national highways.

They urged people to close down their businesses in protest.

Nawabzada Jamil Akbar Bugti, son of the late Nawab Bugti, asked people to observe the death anniversary peacefully and pay tributes to Nawab Bugti for laying down his life to protect rights of Balochistan and its resources.

The administration made stringent security measures throughout the province. Thousands of extra law-enforcement agencies’ personnel were deployed in and around the provincial capital.

A large number of checkpoints were established at various places, including entry points to keep a vigilant eye on the law and order situation. Police contingents, Balochistan Constabulary and Frontier Corps were also deployed at various places. A portion of Zarghoon road was closed for vehicular traffic where the Governor House, Chief Minister House, Civil Secretariat, Chief Secretary House, IG House and residences of many provincial ministers are located.

Police contingents and the Frontier Corps patrol the main roads and streets of Quetta, especially at sensitive points day and night. Security arrangements were also made in other towns and cities of Balochistan.