Quetta-Karachi Highway Blocked in Kalat as Family of Disappeared man Protests in Freezing Cold

QUETTA: The Quetta-Karachi National Highway has been completely blocked for over 14 hours at Kalat by the family of Syed Akhtar Shah, a forcibly disappeared individual, along with the families of other missing persons.

Syed Akhtar Shah was abducted several days ago, and his family, joined by supporters, gathered on the highway to demand his safe release. The protesters are enduring freezing temperatures, with the family continuing their sit-in vigil in the bitter cold, where temperatures have plummeted below zero.

Akhtar Shah’s family said, “Last week, the district administration promised us that our loved would be released within three days. However, two weeks have passed, and he has not been freed. We will not reopen the road until our brother is safely returned.”

The blockade has caused severe disruptions, leaving thousands of passengers and cargo vehicles stranded on the highway. Women and children participating in the protest are also struggling to cope with the freezing weather.

Speaking at the protest, Akhtar Shah’s family vowed to continue their vigil and called on the Baloch community to join their cause. “Enforced disappearances have left countless families in Balochistan suffering. We urge our people to stand together and raise their voices against these inhumane practices,” they said.

The protesters further expressed their anguish, stating, “The enforced disappearance of Akhtar Shah has devastated our entire family. This is not just our fight but a fight for all the families affected by these atrocities. We demand the safe recovery of Akhtar Shah and all missing persons across Balochistan.”