QUETTA: The Central Organization of Traders of Balochistan has strongly rejected the provincial government’s decision to close markets and shops at 8 pm in Quetta, terming it “illogical and anti-business.”
Addressing a press conference, organization President Syed Abdul Qayyum Agha, Chairman Syed Yasin Agha, Vice President Noman Kakar, Spokesperson Kashif Haideri and other leaders expressed grave concern over the government’s austerity measures, saying they are paralyzing business activities.
The traders questioned Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, asking what further test the business community is being put through. They noted that people and traders have already been broken by rising petrol and diesel prices, followed by restrictions on cheap Iranian fuel which ended the only relief available to the public.
“On one hand expensive fuel, on the other rising expenses, and now unnecessary restrictions on business hours — this amounts to the destruction of trade,” the leaders said. They added that transport fares and food prices have skyrocketed, burdening both traders and ordinary citizens.
The traders pointed out that such restrictions are not implemented anywhere else in the country — neither in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh nor Islamabad. “So are separate laws being made for Balochistan?” they asked.
They argued that the province’s situation is already more delicate than other provinces due to law and order issues, border trade obstacles, and the uncertain situation in Iran and Afghanistan. Further restricting business hours is not a wise decision, they added.
The leaders described the decision as “proof of ignorance of ground realities” and said the burden of closed-room decisions is being placed on traders. They clarified that the organization and the entire business community reject this decision and will not accept any order imposed forcibly.
The traders warned that if there is an attempt to forcefully close shops or harass them, the provincial government will bear full responsibility for the consequences. They appealed to police and law enforcement agencies to avoid unnecessary interference, noting that the business community has always maintained a positive relationship with them.
While stating that they do not want a clash with the government and wish to resolve issues through consultation, the traders warned that if cornered, they will take every democratic and legal path to protect their rights — including protests, sit-ins, and shutter-down strikes.
They demanded that the Balochistan government immediately review the decision, take the business community into confidence, and avoid further harming the already struggling economy. Otherwise, they said, the business community will be free to announce its future
course of action.
