Quetta (Balochistan), August 14 (Kiran News) – While Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day, the Balochistan province remains far from the festivities as the federal government has imposed strict security measures ahead of the national holiday. Public transport has been banned during night hours, train services have been suspended, and mobile internet has been shut down. Entry and exit points of major cities have been sealed, creating a curfew-like situation across the province and causing hardships for residents.
According to The Balochistan Post, the transport department has enforced a ban on public transport from 5 PM to 5 AM across Balochistan, including national highways and all cities and districts. Authorities have warned that companies violating the order will have their route permits cancelled. Thousands of people travel daily between Quetta, Karachi, Makran, and other regions, and the restrictions have left many stranded. Patients travelling to Karachi for treatment are facing serious challenges due to inadequate healthcare facilities in the province. Protests have been held against these restrictions.
Inter-provincial train services from Quetta have remained suspended for the fourth consecutive day. Pakistan Railways stated that the suspension would continue until August 14, following a bomb attack on the Jaffar Express in Mastung’s Dasht area. In March, the same train was hijacked by the Baloch Liberation Army, resulting in the deaths of several Pakistani security personnel.
With road and rail travel restricted, many citizens have turned to air travel, causing record fare hikes. The Islamabad airfare, normally between PKR 18,000 and 20,000, has surged to over PKR 50,000. Fly Jinnah operates daily flights, while Pakistan International Airlines runs three to four flights a week, and Serene Air flies once a week.
Since August 6, all 36 districts of Balochistan have been without 3G and 4G mobile internet services, a blackout expected to last until August 31. The province already has the weakest online infrastructure in the country, with 60% of the area lacking internet access. Over half of its 15 million residents rely entirely on mobile data, while fixed-line internet users number only around 70,000. The shutdown has affected freelancers, online businesses, food delivery workers, students, and traders. Mobile banking and online payment systems have been halted, and telemedicine services are unavailable.
The Balochistan Human Rights Commission has condemned the restrictions, calling them a serious violation of civil liberties and fundamental rights.
In the port city of Gwadar, all entry and exit points have been closed for the past three days due to security concerns and preparations for the national day celebrations. Streets are deserted, traffic is minimal, and residents remain confined to their homes.
Despite these restrictions, armed attacks continue in various parts of Balochistan, targeting Pakistani security forces, police, alleged pro-government armed groups, communication systems, and railway services. In Basima, an attack yesterday killed a Pakistan Army captain and eight other soldiers. In Quetta, police and government offices have been targeted with bomb blasts. In Ziarat, armed men abducted the Deputy Commissioner and his son, while several attacks on security forces have also been reported in Zehri.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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