A shutter-down strike was observed in Quetta on Monday, while areas of Balochistan where the Pakhtun population is concentrated were shut down in protest against the death of Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Arman Loni. The call for a shutter-down strike was given by Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) to protest against Loni’s death, which allegedly occurred during a sit-in in Loralai on Saturday. The Awami National Party, Balochistan National Party, National Party and the traders’ community backed the call for strike. Shops and shopping centres remained shut in Quetta and the flow of traffic was also sparse on roads. Speaking about the incident, Home and Tribal Affairs Minister Mir Zia Langove said: “The incident that occurred in Loralai is sad. The Balochistan government is in solidarity with Loni’s family.” However, the Balochistan Awami Party minister also said: “The arrival of PTM leaders to Balochistan in spite of the ban [on their entry] is not right. We will not let anyone become a tool against the state.”
Published in Daily Times, February 5th 2019.
