Shops were shuttered on Saturday in most parts of Balochistan as the business community went on strike to protest the government’s plan to set up cantonments and its “failure” to deal with drought in some parts of the province.

Five nationalist parties had given a call for the strike. The Balochistan National Party (Mengal), National Party, Jamhoori Watan Party and the Paktoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) demand the government withdraw its decision to build garrisons and allocate funds for drought-affected areas. 

Police arrested 22 people for forcibly closing shops.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Parvez Rafi said that police had confiscated five vehicles belonging to workers of nationalist parties.

A complete strike was observed in Dera Bugti, Sui, Sibi, Kahan, Kohlu, Khuzdar, Kalat, Kharan, Quetta, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Zhob and Loralai. 

However, the day passed-off peacefully. National Party leader Jan Muhammad Buledi described the strike as a success and proof of people’s lack of confidence in the federal and provincial governments.

He said that all main markets and shops were closed in Quetta, Chaman and Lasbella.

He said that nationalists would continue their protest till the government gave up its plan to build cantonments and pulled out troops from Sui. By Azizullah Khan Daily Times 13.2.05