QUETTA: Protest sit-in, rallies and road blocks continued in different areas of the provincial capital on Monday against the abduction of an 11-year-old student who could not be recovered despite the passage of four days.

Leaders of the business community have also given a strike call for Tuesday (today) against the kidnapping incident and to express their solidarity with the affected family.

Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail has also taken notice of the kidnapping of the student. He has directed Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari to ensure swift and safe recovery of the abducted student.

The governor said all possible measures should be taken for the safe recovery of the child and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said all institutions were making efforts for safe recovery of the student.

“Some leads have been found, but these could not be disclosed at present as police and other investigating agencies are working on these leads and we hope the student will soon be recovered,” Mr Rind told Dawn.

Hundreds of protesters including tribesmen, workers of different political parties, lawyers and members of civil society staged a sit-in and set up a camp at the Unity Chowk, blocking the main Zarghoon Road linking the provincial capital with

Quetta-Chaman Highway and other areas. The protesters stopped traffic, causing massive traffic jam in different areas of the provincial capital.

Locals, especially teachers and students, faced great difficulties due to the protest as most of the city’s schools were located on Zarghoon Road.

Government employees could not reach their offices on time.

Meanwhile, the lawyers’ community also expressed its solidarity with family members of the kidnapped boy and boycotted court proceedings in Balochistan High Court and lower courts.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2024