A daily wager eats free food. PHOTO: AFP
QUETTA:
Daily life across Quetta and several districts of Balochistan was severely disrupted on Sunday as a province-wide shutter-down and wheel-jam strike called by the opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Aain Pakistan (TTAP) was observed, leading to closed markets, blocked roads and suspended transport services.
From early morning, shops, shopping centres and business hubs in the provincial capital remained shut, while public and private transport stayed off the roads. Protesters blocked major intersections and highways, cutting off traffic within the city and on routes linking Quetta to other parts of the province. Commuters faced serious difficulties as movement remained restricted throughout the day.
The protest was called by TTAP against what it claims were irregularities and manipulation in the February 8, 2024, general elections. Supporters belonging to different constituent parties staged demonstrations at various locations, demanding electoral transparency and constitutional safeguards.
Read: Opposition alliance sticks to Feb 8 plan
Law enforcement agencies were deployed in large numbers at sensitive points to prevent unrest and ensure security. Officials confirmed that several individuals were detained during protests in different areas, though no major violence was reported.
The strike disrupted business activity, educational routines and essential mobility, adding to public frustration and economic losses, as authorities continued to monitor the situation.
In Peshawar, a foot march was scheduled from Hashtnagri to Chowk Yadgar, with participation from district leadership, party workers and members of the trader community. The march was to be led by PTI Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar, who, along with other senior leaders, was expected to address workers upon reaching Chowk Yadgar.
Read more: PTI strike sees mixed response across K-P amid Feb 8 protest call
In Charsadda, shops and markets across the district remained open with no notable traffic disruption. PTI announced a protest demonstration at Farooq-e-Azam Chowk at 3:00pm. Authorities in Charsadda confirmed a police deployment of roughly 4,200 personnel to maintain law and order.
As tensions simmered in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the administration in neighbouring Punjab moved to block any potential spillover of the protests. The Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi, Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure across the district for 15 days, effective from February 7 to February 21, 2026.
