Quetta: A wheel-jam and shutter-down strike called by opposition political parties continued across Quetta on Monday, disrupting normal life and bringing commercial and transport activities to a complete halt.
According to police officials, protesters blocked several major roads in different parts of the provincial capital by burning tyres and placing obstacles, causing severe traffic congestion and inconvenience for citizens. Public transport remained off the roads, while most markets and business centers stayed closed in response to the strike call.
Police said that demonstrations were reported from multiple localities, where protesters attempted to enforce the shutdown by forcibly closing shops and stopping vehicles. Law enforcement agencies moved in to clear roads and restore order as tensions escalated in some areas.
The police confirmed that 22 protesters have been arrested so far during operations carried out in various parts of Quetta. Officials said the detained individuals were shifted to different police stations for further legal proceedings.
A police spokesperson stated that Section 144 is currently enforced across Balochistan, banning gatherings, sit-ins, and protests. The spokesperson warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found violating the law or attempting to block roads and markets.
“Those who forcibly shut down roads or shops will be arrested,” the police said, adding that maintaining public safety and ensuring the free movement of citizens remained the top priority.
Security was tightened in sensitive areas of the city to prevent any untoward incident, while additional police personnel were deployed at major intersections and commercial hubs. Authorities also appealed to citizens to cooperate with law enforcement and avoid participating in illegal activities.
Despite the police action, the strike had a visible impact on daily life, with schools, offices, and businesses affected. No major injuries were reported by late afternoon, though the situation remained tense in several localities.
Officials said monitoring would continue throughout the day, and further action would be taken if the law-and-order situation deteriorated.
