Political parties in Balochistan have announced a province-wide shutdown strike on 19 November, accusing the provincial and federal governments of failing to address the province's worsening political, security and economic crises. Demonstrations will also be held at district headquarters across the province.

The decision was taken at an all-parties conference organised by the Awami National Party at the Quetta Press Club, chaired by the party's provincial president, Asghar Khan Achakzai. Representatives of the National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, the Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party and other political groups attended the gathering.

Joint declaration lists security and economic grievances

In a joint declaration, the parties described the situation in Balochistan as alarming, pointing to persistent insecurity, terrorism, extremism, targeted killings and kidnappings for ransom. They also raised the unresolved issue of missing persons, unemployment and economic deterioration, and difficulties faced by transporters and passengers on national highways.

The declaration blamed the closure of trade and transit routes with Afghanistan and Iran for severely disrupting economic activity across the province. The parties also cited soaring inflation, prolonged electricity and gas outages, petroleum levies and restrictions on essential agricultural supplies, including urea fertiliser, saying these had damaged agriculture, trade, industry and employment.

Further meetings planned in November and December

Achakzai said the parties had agreed to turn their joint political struggle into a coordinated movement, and that the strike would press the authorities to take effective steps to restore peace. He said the government's authority had weakened to the extent that security concerns were emerging even in sensitive areas such as Quetta's Red Zone.

The leaders also announced a provincial-level meeting on 26 November to determine the next phase of their campaign. An all-parties conference will subsequently be held in the first week of December to present Balochistan's pressing concerns before the national leadership.