Complete shutdown in Quetta due to student kidnapping – Pakistan

QUETTA: A complete shutdown was observed in the provincial capital on Tuesday in protest against the kidnapping of an 11-year-old student, as authorities have been unable to trace his whereabouts despite the passage of five days.

The strike was jointly declared by the sit-in committee and the traders’ association in solidarity with the family of the kidnapped child. Several political parties also supported the strike. Businesses closed their establishments all day.

All major markets, bazaars, malls and business centers remained closed.

Traffic was light and most residents chose to keep their vehicles off the streets. However, students and government workers faced problems due to the lockdown and roadblocks, especially the closure of Zarghoon Road where protesters had staged a sit-in at Unity Chowk.

Strict security measures were imposed, including enhanced monitoring at entrances and exits and continuous checks on people and vehicles.

Meanwhile, Haji Raz Mohammad, the father of the kidnapped child, expressed his grief at the Balochistan High Court and regretted that five days had passed since the kidnapping of his son. Yet there was no information about his whereabouts.

He appealed to the army chief to intervene for the safe return of his son.

He thanked the public for their support and dismissed rumors of communication with the kidnappers, calling them baseless. He said future steps would be decided by the sit-in committee.

Throughout the day, lawyers and political leaders visited the sit-in camp to express their solidarity with the family of the missing student.

Published in Dawn, November 20, 2024