Leader of the Opposition in the Balochistan Assembly, Mir Younus Aziz Zehri, criticised government ministers on Friday, saying major highways across the region remain blocked for hours as armed groups increase their presence, while officials continue to downplay the situation.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly in Quetta, Zehri said he had travelled from his constituency earlier in the day and “knew firsthand” how difficult it had become to reach the capital.
He said recent remarks by government ministers, including Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, suggesting that armed fighters appear on highways only briefly to record TikTok videos, were misleading.
“One minister said fighters come to the roads only for two or three minutes to record videos,” Zehri said. “I say with certainty that the roads remain blocked for hours. They stop people and interrogate them. This has gone far beyond TikTok.”
“The situation today is worse,” he added. “Tell the ministers to travel from here to Karachi, Turbat, Panjgur or Usta Muhammad by road, they cannot do it.”
Zehri accused government ministers of failing to visit their constituencies for years and said ordinary people were suffering from government-imposed restrictions, including recurring internet shutdowns, security blockades, travel disruptions and rising unemployment. He said daily life in many areas had “nearly come to a standstill” due to the administration’s policies and lack of oversight.