MASTUNG, BALOCHISTAN: Students of the University of Balochistan Sub-Campus Mastung staged a protest demonstration on Tuesday, blocking the national highway to all traffic in response to delays in the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme and a prolonged internet shutdown in the district.
A large number of students gathered in front of Degree College Mastung and sat in a sit-in, causing long queues of vehicles on the highway and creating severe difficulties for commuters and travellers.
Protesting students said that despite completing their registration and documentation several months ago, laptops under the PM Youth Laptop Scheme have still not been distributed to them. They accused relevant authorities of deliberately employing delaying tactics, saying the prolonged wait is seriously hampering their academic activities.
Students also voiced strong anger over the continuous suspension of internet services in Mastung and surrounding areas, stating that online classes, research work, assignments, and other academic tasks have been severely affected. Protesters argued that internet access has become a fundamental requirement for education in the modern era, but authorities appear unwilling to resolve the issue.
Demonstrators chanted slogans against the government and relevant institutions, issuing two key demands immediate distribution of laptops under the youth scheme and restoration of internet services in Mastung.
Protesters warned that if their demands are not met promptly, the protest movement will be expanded further.
The national highway remained blocked for several hours due to the sit-in, severely disrupting traffic flow across the route. Administration officials and law enforcement personnel reached the scene and held negotiations with the protesters. No immediate resolution was reported at the time of publication.
