QUETTA: A protest sit-in at Ziarat Cross ended on Tuesday after successful negotiations between Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and demonstrators, leading to the reopening of the highway to traffic.
Chief Minister visited the protest site and held direct talks with the participants. He listened to their demands and grievances and announced immediate steps to address their concerns.
The chief minister formed a committee to examine the protesters’ demands and prepare actionable recommendations. He also invited a delegation of protest leaders to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat for detailed discussions.
Bugti assured the protesters that their legitimate demands would be addressed in accordance with the law, merit, and due process.
Addressing the gathering, he said Balochistan was facing threats on multiple fronts. He said militants were targeting innocent civilians while also attempting to disrupt economic activity and livelihoods. He added that state institutions were often unfairly blamed for such incidents.
He called for national unity to counter security threats and defeat attempts to destabilize the province.
Bugti said the provincial government remained committed to resolving public grievances through dialogue, mutual trust, and constitutional and legal mechanisms.
He urged citizens to support state institutions and work together to preserve peace, stability, and the broader national interest.
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Following the chief minister’s assurances and the progress made during the talks, the protesters announced an end to the sit-in and reopened the highway to all traffic. Normal movement on the road later resumed.
