Balochistan Erupts in Protests as Unannounced Road Closures and Severe Load-Shedding Ignite Public Outcry

The public in Balochistan’s Kharan and Pasni areas staged massive protests on Friday in response to major road closures and unexpected load shedding, according to the Balochistan Post. The same report said that in addition to the widespread public demonstration, the Jozhan area’s citizens and students wrote Deputy Commissioner Munir Ahmad Soomro a letter demanding the reopening of the roads that had been closed during the election for security reasons. The public, who are having great hardships as a result of the closure of the roads, demanded that the roads in the public areas be opened.

According to The Balochistan Post report, these closures due to security concerns are not unusual in Balochistan. Major Baloch cities, such as Khuzdar, Gwadar, and Turbat, frequently experience unexpected road closures. Similar demonstrations against the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) for the unexpected power outages were seen in the Pansi area. According to the Balochistan Post, female protestors forced QESCO employees to remain inside their offices in order to put an end to the daily struggles caused by power outages. Protesters told the Balochistan Post that they had to endure power outages for 12 to 18 hours every day. The demonstrator also underlined that Ramadan is quickly approaching and that they would not put up with these power outages during this time.

If they pay their bills on time, then it is the duty of the administration to provide them with a reliable and continuous supply of electricity.
The same news piece also stated that no response in this regard was received from the authorities of the Kharan and Pansi areas.
Similar protests raising the issue of power cuts are being observed in Gilgit Baltistan, and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Previously, massive protests were organised by the public in Khaplu district in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) against rising load shedding in the region.

The failure of the electricity department to provide three-phase electricity has been attributed to the protestors’ “incompetence.” They have claimed that while the general public is forced to endure 18 hours of load shedding, a select group of powerful individuals receive 24-hour electricity through a dedicated line.