The All Transport Association Balochistan has criticised lengthy inspections and the treatment of drivers at the Darakhshan Frontier Corps (FC) checkpoint in Balochistan’s Quetta, saying hours-long queues have caused severe difficulties for passengers and transporters.
In a statement, the association’s spokesperson described the checkpoint as a “headache”, saying long queues frequently left passengers travelling in buses and minivans, including women and children, waiting for hours.
He said personnel stationed at the checkpoint often behaved inappropriately towards transporters, adding that their conduct caused drivers further stress and frustration.
The spokesperson said poor road conditions already contributed to frequent accidents on Balochistan’s national highways, while robbers along these routes left passengers and transporters fearing for their safety. Lengthy inspections at Darakhshan had compounded these difficulties, he said.
Transporters were fed up with spending hours in queues at the checkpoint, the spokesperson added, calling for inspections to be made faster and more efficient.
The association urged the Balochistan chief minister, chief secretary, commander of XII Corps, inspector general of FC Balochistan and other relevant authorities to take immediate notice of the complaints and take practical steps to address transporters’ difficulties and spare passengers prolonged waits.