Province-Wide Shutdown in Balochistan After Deadly Rally Attack
Quetta – Opposition parties in Balochistan have called a province-wide strike today in response to the suicide bombing that struck a Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) gathering on September 2.
The attack occurred at Shahwani Stadium during a BNP-M public meeting. Senior leaders, including BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party head Mehmood Khan Achakzai, former senator Mir Kabir Muhammad Shahi, and Awami National Party’s Asghar Achakzai, narrowly escaped injury as they had departed shortly before the blast.
Opposition Pushes for Complete Shutdown
Six political groups — BNP-M, PkMAP, Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Aain-i-Pakistan, ANP, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, and the National Party — have united behind the strike call. In a joint statement, their leaders condemned the bombing and urged the public to observe a “shutter-down and wheel-jam” protest across the province.
The opposition bloc has declared that highways, intercity routes, and roads leading to Quetta’s airport and railway station will be blocked. They have also pledged to halt operations at other provincial airports.
Traders and Schools Join the Protest
Business groups and transport associations have backed the opposition’s strike plan, with the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry confirming full participation. Many hotels, shops, and markets are expected to remain closed throughout the day.
Although the provincial government has not ordered the closure of state-run schools, the Private Schools Association has announced a complete shutdown of private schools, colleges, and universities.
What’s at Stake
The latest suicide attack adds to the fragile security climate in Balochistan, where political rallies have often been targeted in the past. While the opposition’s strike is intended as a show of solidarity with victims, it also highlights tensions between political groups and the government over security arrangements at public gatherings.
