Transport companies operating along the Quetta-Taftan route have announced an indefinite cessation of operations in protest. The Balochistan government’s unilateral imposition of strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), intended to enhance security, has drawn criticism from transporters. They argue that these SOPs will further strain their already fragile business.
The Quetta-Taftan route serves sparsely populated areas, resulting in limited local passenger traffic. Instead, transport companies heavily rely on visa-carrying passengers traveling between Quetta and the Taftan border to Iran. However, the government now instructs transporters to prevent these crucial passengers from boarding buses.
Transporters place blame squarely on the government for security lapses, asserting that the new SOPs are impractical and unacceptable. Their protest continues until the government revisits these measures.
The backdrop to these restrictions lies in the Baloch Liberation Army’s recent actions. The BLA halted passenger buses, identifying and killing nine suspected intelligence agents. This incident prompted emergency discussions within the Balochistan government, leading to the implementation of new travel policies, particularly toward Taftan, in an effort to maintain peace and security. Armed forces and security personnel were actively involved in shaping these policies.