QUETTA: A shutterdown strike on the call of the Awami National Party (ANP) was being observed in Quetta, Pishin, Zhob, Loralai, Ziarat, Qila Saifullah and other parts of Balochistan, DawnNews reported.

The strike was called to protest against Friday's bomb explosion in the province's Kuchlak area that targeted a public meeting of the ANP.

The explosion killed six people, including the senior vice president of the Pashtun Students Federation, and injured 22 others.

The injured include provincial president of the ANP, Aurangzeb Kasi, his wife and ANP activists.

On Saturday, commercial centres in the cities and towns remained shut and banks did not conduct public dealing. Moreover, traffic in Quetta remained thin and public transport was sparse.

Political parties and religious groups have supported the strike call saying that the government has failed to establish law and order in the province.