QUETTA: On the appeal of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), a province-wide shutter-down strike is being observed across Balochistan today. Meanwhile, the party's sit-in protest at Lakpass near Quetta continues as tensions rise between protestors and the provincial administration.
According to reports, Section 144 has been imposed in Gwadar district, where the local administration has made it clear that no individual or group will be allowed to carry out a long march. Authorities have warned that strict legal action will be taken against those found violating the emergency law.
Despite the April 6 deadline for the commencement of the long march towards Quetta having passed, BNP-M has not yet advanced towards the provincial capital. Heavy deployment of law enforcement personnel has been stationed around the protest camp amid fears of unrest and the potential arrest of party chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal.
In response to the government's preventive measures, Mengal announced a province-wide strike on Monday, reiterating that the sit-in at Lakpass would continue until the government allows marchers to enter Quetta.
The BNP-M chief directed party workers and supporters to block all highways across the province and stage sit-ins wherever security forces attempt to stop them.
The Balochistan government has maintained a firm stance, warning that Mengal would be arrested if he proceeds towards Quetta. Government spokesperson Shahid Rind confirmed that Mengal had been served a preventive detention order under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law at 6:00 AM, but the BNP-M leader refused to comply and declined to surrender.
