Quetta; A shutter-down and wheel-jam strike is being observed across Quetta and several other cities of Balochistan on the call of All Parties, in protest against the recent suicide blast near Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal’s sit-in.
During the strike, markets and business centers remained closed, while public transport was suspended. Demonstrations were held in different cities, but reports suggest that police attempted to disperse protestors through aerial firing, shelling and arrests.
Several leaders and workers of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) – including Malik Naseer Ahmed Shahwani, Malik Rafiq Shahwani, Lala Zafar Mengal and Abdul Manan Muhammad Hassani – were reportedly arrested. Protesting parties alleged that police were harassing demonstrators and trying to suppress peaceful protest through force.
It is noteworthy that on March 29, a suspected suicide blast occurred near the BNP sit-in at Luk Pass, Mastung district, where a suspicious individual blew himself up. However, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, BNP leadership and party workers remained unharmed. No casualties were reported in that incident.
Later, on September 2, 2025, another suicide blast took place near Shahwani Stadium, Quetta, at the conclusion of an Akhtar Mengal rally. At least 14–15 people were killed and more than 30 injured in that attack. The global militant group ISIS claimed responsibility, with officials stating that the young bomber carried approximately 10 kilograms of explosives.
