Border trade closure: Opposition walks out of Balochistan Assembly

QUETTA: Opposition members in Balochistan Assembly staged a protest and walkout against the closure of border trade, which has significantly impacted local livelihoods.

The session, which began 50 minutes late under the chairmanship of Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai on Monday, saw opposition members holding placards to express their dissent. Mir Asadullah Baloch, head of the Balochistan National Party (Awami) and a member of the Assembly, raised the issue during a point of order. He highlighted that millions of people are affected by the shutdown of border trade, which serves as a key source of income for residents along the Pakistan-Iran and Afghanistan borders. He stressed that border trade is a global practice and forms the economic backbone of these communities, which also share family ties across borders. He urged the government to clarify its stance on the matter and provide alternative solutions to those impacted, warning that labeling their livelihoods as “smuggling” threatens their future.

Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman Baloch, the provincial chief of Jamaat-e-Islami and a member of the Assembly, made a strong statement, criticising the government’s approach. He sarcastically suggested that the government drop an “atom bomb” on the border residents, accusing the federal administration in Islamabad of treating the people of Balochistan as second-class citizens. He labeled the closure of border trade as an act of hostility towards Balochistan and handed a placard to the Speaker in protest. Speaker Achakzai responded by saying that the issue would be addressed once Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti arrived, and a unified plan of action would be devised.

Zamrak Khan Achakzai, a member of the Awami National Party, questioned why cheaper fuel from Iran was being ignored in favor of imports from Saudi Arabia. He called on the government to create a clear policy on border trade to restore employment opportunities. He emphasised that the closure of the border has already rendered many locals jobless, urging the government to resolve the issue in line with international laws. He clarified that while they do not support illegal activities, they will continue to fight for the rights of their people.

Following these discussions, the opposition announced their walkout from the assembly in protest. Speaker Achakzai remarked that the opposition was free to leave if they chose, after which the opposition members exited the session.

Provincial Minister for Planning and Development, Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, acknowledged that half of Balochistan’s population depends on border trade for their livelihood. He clarified that while the government is not against the public’s employment, there are certain restrictions in place that would be addressed upon the Chief Minister’s return. Buledi stressed that the province is currently facing a wave of terrorism and called on assembly members to act responsibly. He questioned the feasibility of border closures by neighboring countries and pointed out that there are over 2 million unemployed youth in Balochistan. He assured the assembly that a comprehensive strategy on border trade would be formulated after reviewing the situation.