Residents, traders, and transporters in Noshki say ongoing curfew restrictions imposed by the Pakistani forces are creating serious difficulties ahead of Ramadan, as markets remain closed during key evening and early morning hours needed for daily shopping and travel.
Under current restrictions, bazaars in the city remain shut from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. Citizens say the timing has made it nearly impossible to purchase essential goods for iftar and sehri, disrupting routine preparations during the fasting month.
“We can’t buy basic items at the times we actually need them,” several residents told local sources, adding that families are struggling to manage food supplies because shops are closed during peak demand hours.
Traders say the restrictions have effectively halted business activity. Shopkeepers reported financial losses as customer flow has dropped sharply, with evening commerce, normally the busiest period during Ramadan, completely suspended.
Both residents and business owners have urged authorities to allow markets to remain open during reasonable hours in respect of Ramadan so that daily life and commercial activity can continue.
Transport services have also been affected. A ban on movement from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. has disrupted travel along the RCD Highway, creating problems for passengers and transport operators. Travelers say they are unable to reach destinations on time, while transporters report mounting economic losses due to suspended operations.
Citizens, traders, and transport workers jointly called on the government to review lockdown and travel restrictions and provide immediate relief measures during Ramadan.
The curfew was announced on February 6, with district authorities stating the decision was taken in view of the law-and-order situation. Following the announcement, military personnel were deployed across different parts of the city, and checkpoints were established on major roads as well as entry and exit routes.
Authorities also instructed residents to avoid non-essential movement except in emergencies, warning that legal action could be taken against violations.
The curfew comes amid heightened tensions across Balochistan after the Baloch Liberation Army carried out a new wave of attacks under the second phase of “Operation Herof,” launched on January 31 across multiple areas simultaneously.