BNP-M strike shuts markets across Balochistan

QUETTA: A province-wide shutter-down strike called by the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) disrupted normal business activity across Balochistan on Wednesday in protest over the recent killing of the son of Khuzdar nazim and BNP leader Sardar Naseer Ahmed Musiani.

The strike received a strong response from traders, with major markets, shopping centres and malls remaining closed in Quetta. Business activity was also suspended in a wide range of towns and cities across the province.

Shutdowns were observed in Khuzdar, Kalat, Wadh, Dalbandin, Kharan, Sibi, Dera Murad Jamali, Turbat, Panjgur, Pasni, Jaffarabad, Nall, Basima, Jiwani, Washuk, Lasbela and Hub. The protest was organised by BNP-M in response to the killing, which the party linked to the strike call.

The closures left commercial areas largely inactive for the day as traders joined the protest across multiple districts of Balochistan.