QUETTA: The provincial spokesperson of the National Party has criticized the government for the long closure of border trade routes connecting Balochistan’s districts with the neighboring countries Afghanistan and Iran. He called the closure of “economic murder” of the local people as it is the only source of income for the local people.
He said that the poor government policies have caused thousands of families to lose their main source of income, adding that several young people are forced into crimes such as robbery and even suicide due to unemployment and poverty because the government has closed the doors of their daily earnings.
The government is accused of not supporting traditional border trade practices that have existed for centuries and instead relying on a few mafia groups controlling thousands of jobs. Thousands of youths earn only two to four thousand rupees daily on border trade to support their families.
The National Party spokesperson claimed that 90% of employment in Balochistan depends on border trade with Afghanistan and Iran. The border closures are not justified legally or on humanitarian grounds. If the government cannot provide jobs, it should not shut down the only livelihood available to these people.
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He demanded from the government to reopen border trade to save millions from hunger and poverty, and he also demanded action against mafia groups who illegally smuggle goods, stressing that any ban should target only those involved in illegal arms and smuggling activities.
