Bus drivers and transporters in Panjgur took to the streets in protest against what they describe as extortion practices by Pakistani security forces. The demonstrators have halted bus services, vowing not to resume operations until their demands are addressed.
According to the protestors, security personnel manning checkpoints along various routes demand illicit payments from bus and truck operators to allow passage. These checkpoints, situated between Karachi and Panjgur, have significantly impacted the lives of drivers and transporters.
The coast guards conduct thorough inspections of buses, even scrutinizing and confiscating items like cakes and biscuits, under the pretext of “security concerns.” Buses and trucks are often detained without valid justification, and their release is contingent upon payment of exorbitant bribes to the security personnel, they said.
The protestors said that this unjust and illegal behavior has compelled them to stage a shutdown, emphasizing that services will remain suspended until their demands are met. Their key demands include either closing down the checkpoints or curbing the extortion racket.