Eid gatherings across Balochistan concluded with prayers, as the province’s largest Eid congregation was held at the foothills of Koh-e-Chiltan. Thousands of people attended the event, where special prayers were offered for the safe return of missing persons, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch.
The Eid congregation was held at the protest site of the Balochistan National Party (BNP-M), where a sit-in had been ongoing for the past four days. Prominent religious scholars led Eid prayers across various locations, including Jamia Masjid Khatam-un-Nabiyeen in Chah Sar Turbat, where Maulana Saeed Ahmad Tagrani addressed the gathering. Other major Eid sermons were delivered by Maulana Ghulamullah Rustam Naqshbandi at Shahi Tump Eidgah, Maulana Saleh at the central mosque of Turbat, Maulana Alam Baloch at Tameer-e-Millat Eidgah, Mufti Murad Jan Baloch at Madrasa Ashab-e-Suffa Meeri, and Mufti Fazl-ur-Rehman Qasmi at Darul Uloom Aapsar.
During these gatherings, religious scholars prayed for peace in the region and called for the safe return of missing persons.
Scholars also appealed to the government to adopt a path of reconciliation rather than force in order to achieve lasting peace in the region.
Meanwhile, the BNP’s ongoing sit-in near Lakpas, close to Mastung, has led to the complete severance of Quetta’s land connectivity with other parts of the province. In an effort to prevent the protest from advancing into Quetta, the government placed containers on the city’s entry points, causing severe inconvenience to travelers.
BNP leader Sardar Akhtar Mengal, along with hundreds of protesters, has been leading the demonstration at Lakpas. He and his supporters decided to observe Eid at the protest site in defiance of government restrictions.
In addition to the main blockade at Lakpas Tunnel, the authorities have also closed other key routes, including Kund Mesori and Aghbarg, resulting in the isolation of 12 districts from the provincial capital. These include Mastung, Kalat, Surab, Khuzdar, Hub, Lasbela, Noshki, Kharan, Dalbandain, Nokundi, Washuk, and Taftan.
For the past three days, authorities have been using road blockades to prevent the BNP’s long march from entering Quetta. The closure of highways has left thousands of travelers stranded, many of whom were en route to their hometowns to celebrate Eid with their families.
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On the previous day, a government delegation visited the BNP protest site at Lakpas to initiate negotiations. The officials urged BNP leadership to call off the protest in light of security concerns and the upcoming Eid festivities, stressing the hardships faced by the public due to the road closures.
However, with no resolution in sight, the situation remains tense as the government and protesters continue to stand their ground, leaving thousands affected by the ongoing crisis.