A nationwide wheeljam, and shutterdown strike called by the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) was also observed on Sunday across Balochistan, Quetta as violent confrontations erupted between police and demonstrators in the capital while law enforcement used baton charges and teargas to disperse crowds protesting the 2024 election results.
The clashes, which saw dozens of political figures and activists arrested, were part of a province-wide strike that crippled daily life across Balochistan.
The strike was organised by the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), a seven-party opposition coalition, to voice dissent over the outcome of the 2024 general elections.
In the provincial capital, protestors set tyres ablaze and obstructed major thoroughfares, including the western bypass national highway, Airport Road, and Sariab Road. The ensuing turmoil resulted in damage to vehicles, including rickshaws, from stone-pelting.
The call for a shutter-down and wheel-jam action brought commercial and business activities to a standstill in most cities and towns. Roads throughout the province appeared deserted, with demonstrators blocking key highways.
Reports indicated that shops and markets remained closed in numerous districts, including Pishin, Killa Abdullah, Chaman, Zhob, Khuzdar, and Gwadar. The closure of essential services such as bakeries (tandoors), hotels, and pharmacies caused significant hardship for residents, particularly for patients seeking medical care.
The provincial home department had earlier imposed Section 144 across Balochistan, prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people and warning of legal action against the forced closure of roads and businesses. Concurrently, authorities suspended mobile internet data services in Quetta.