Normal life continued uninterrupted across Balochistan on Monday as the Balochistan National Party-Mengal’s (BNP-M) call for a province-wide shutter-down strike failed to attract public response. Markets, shops, and commercial centres remained open in all major cities, traffic flowed smoothly, and no road blockades were reported.
The strike call was issued by BNP-M’s central vice president, Sajid Tareen Advocate, in connection with the party’s ongoing protest sit-in, which has entered its ninth consecutive day. Speaking at a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, Tareen described the party’s long march from Wadh to Quetta, led by BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, as a “march for honour and dignity.”
Despite the party’s call for a complete shutdown in several districts—including Gwadar, Turbat, Pasni, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Kharan, Mastung, Kalat, Dalbandin, Nushki, Surab, and Hub—daily life remained largely unaffected. Most shopkeepers kept their businesses open, although a few opted to shut down over security concerns.
According to Azad Digital’s correspondent, all roads, markets, and shops remained open in Qila Saifullah and the provincial capital Quetta. Similar reports came from Lasbela, where traffic flowed without interruption. In Panjgur, the public overwhelmingly rejected the strike call and continued their daily routines.
Deputy Commissioner of Naseerabad confirmed that the strike had no impact in his district, with markets open and traffic normal. In Barkhan and Rakhni towns, too, shops and markets stayed open, according to local reports.
Earlier, BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal had announced that after three failed rounds of negotiations with the government, the party would begin its long march towards Quetta on April 6. However, a day before the planned entry into the city, police used tear gas and shelling to disperse protesters, preventing their entry into the provincial capital.
The provincial government had warned Mengal that if his party attempted to enter Quetta, he would be arrested under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). Spokesperson for the Balochistan Government, Shahid Rind, reiterated that Mengal would face arrest if he advanced towards the city.
BNP-M leader Quddus Baloch stated that while two government delegations had attempted to negotiate, their lack of authority resulted in no progress. He said the sit-in was under police siege and expressed concerns over security threats, particularly citing Mastung as a hub for extremist elements. He claimed that due to government-imposed restrictions, the marchers were forced to hold their protest in the Lakpass area of Mastung, after being denied access to Quetta.
