Quetta, August 30 — The Balochistan government has extended the imposition of Section 144 across the province for another 15 days, citing the prevailing law and order situation. According to a notification issued by the Home Department on Friday, the restrictions include a ban on the display and use of weapons, pillion riding, vehicles with tinted glass, unregistered motorbikes, and gatherings of more than five people, including sit-ins, rallies, and processions.
The order, signed by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, also prohibits covering of faces in public places through mufflers, masks, or any other means that obstruct identification.
The move has sparked criticism from political groups. Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club, National Democratic Party (NDP) spokesperson Shahzeb Baloch denounced the decision, calling it unconstitutional. “Imposing restrictions on political and democratic avenues amounts to strangling justice,” he said.
Shahzeb further alleged that political activists in Balochistan and other marginalized groups across Pakistan are routinely subjected to harassment, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearances. “The government must ensure the recovery of all missing persons, including NDP members and other oppressed people,” he stressed. He added that if there are allegations against activists, they should be tried in courts, not punished collectively. “Enforced disappearances and harassment reflect a colonial mindset and amount to ethnic and national cleansing,” he said.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated in Zawah and Zehri areas near Khuzdar on the Quetta-Karachi highway, where protests entered their second consecutive day on Friday. Demonstrators blocked the highway after reports emerged of passengers being abducted from a wagon traveling from Hub Chowki to Khuzdar.
Local accounts suggest that security forces intercepted the vehicle, removed women and children, and took away the male passengers along with the wagon to an undisclosed location.
Baba Fateh Zehri, a local leader, alleged over the phone that the Khuzdar Assistant Commissioner and Levies personnel attempted to disperse the peaceful protest by force. He claimed they resorted to gunfire and tear gas, injuring two passengers. Zehri also accused security personnel of mistreating women and assaulting youths during the crackdown.
Urging solidarity, he called upon residents of the Zehri region to join the sit-in in large numbers to resist what he described as the “excesses” of the local administration.
The protests and allegations highlight the deepening tensions in Balochistan as the government tightens security measures while political voices demand accountability and justice.
