A curfew remained in force for a fourth consecutive day in the Zehri area of Balochistan’s Khuzdar district on Monday, disrupting movement and trade, local residents and community representatives said.
Markets, transport services and business centres have remained closed since the restrictions were imposed, while connecting roads to nearby areas have also been blocked, residents said, adding that prolonged closures have significantly affected daily life across the area.
Several residents reported shortages of food supplies and difficulties in accessing medicines as movement remained restricted during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Patients were also facing limited access to medical facilities, they said, while travellers remained stranded due to road closures.
Haji Abdullah Azad, patron-in-chief of the Zehri traders’ association and a councillor of the Municipal Committee Zehri, called for the curfew to be lifted in a statement.
He said the restrictions had caused “severe difficulties” for residents, adding that dozens of vehicles were stationed at Anjeera Cross and Lakhoriyan carrying women, children and elderly passengers who were unable to proceed due to road closures.
“During the harsh cold and the month of Ramadan, these passengers are facing significant hardship,” Azad said, further stating that the continued closure of Zehri Bazaar had resulted in shortages of food items in local households.
Azad appealed to the Commissioner of Kalat Division, the Deputy Commissioner of Khuzdar and the sector in-charge in Zehri to lift the curfew immediately so that stranded passengers could return home.
He added that with Eid approaching, restoring movement and reopening markets would help normalise daily life and allow residents to observe Ramadan and celebrate the festival with their families.