Balochistan Parties call statewide shutdown in mid-November as crisis deepens in troubled province

Political parties in Pakistan’s Balochistan province have called a province-wide shutdown strike for November 19, to be followed by demonstrations at district headquarters. They accuse the provincial and federal governments of failing to address mounting security, political and economic concerns.The decision was taken at an all-parties conference organised by the Awami National Party (ANP) at the Quetta Press Club, according to a report by The Express Tribune cited by ANI. ANP provincial president Asghar Khan Achakzai chaired the meeting, which was attended by representatives of the National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party and several other political groups. The participants agreed to bring their joint political and democratic efforts under a coordinated movement to raise public grievances.In a joint declaration, the parties described the situation in Balochistan as alarming. They cited persistent insecurity, terrorism, extremism, armed group activities, targeted killings and kidnappings for ransom. They also raised the unresolved issue of missing persons, and highlighted the difficulties faced by transporters and passengers travelling on national highways.The parties pointed to rising unemployment and economic decline. They blamed the closure of trade and transit routes with Afghanistan and Iran for disrupting economic activity across the province. Soaring inflation, prolonged power and gas outages, petroleum levies and restrictions on the supply of essential agricultural inputs, including urea fertiliser, were also cited. According to The Express Tribune, the leaders said these issues had adversely affected agriculture, trade, industries and employment.The participating parties also criticised the provincial and federal governments, accusing them of failing to ensure public safety, maintain law and order, protect natural resources and restore economic stability.Furthermore, the parties announced a provincial-level meeting on November 26 to decide the next course of action. An all-parties conference will be held in the first week of December to take Balochistan’s concerns to the national leadership.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.