Pakistan bans night travel from Punjab to Balochistan over 'security' concerns

Pakistan will no longer allow private or public vehicles to enter Balochistan at night to prevent any “untoward incident”, as the situation in the region remains tense.

The district administration of Dera Ghazi Khan has issued a circular prohibiting traffic from crossing into Pakistan-administered Balochistan after 5 pm. All vehicles will now be able to enter or leave the province only in daylight hours.

“The protection of citizens’ lives and property is the top priority, and security measures are being made more effective and comprehensive,” Deputy Commissioner and Chair­man Regional Transport Authority Muhammad Us­­man Khalid said, according to Dawn.

What other measures have been imposed?

In addition to the nighttime travel ban, a formal notification detailed several other safety protocols.

Authorities will record video footage of drivers and passengers on all public transport vehicles at bus terminals prior to departure.

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Vehicles will also operate under tight security, moving in protected convoys.

The directive further requires all public transport vehicles to be equipped with active CCTV cameras, GPS tracking systems, and emergency panic alarms to enable a rapid response in case of any crisis.

Balochistan on boil

The region has been making news for quite some time as isolated cases of violence surface from Balochistan, with the Pakistan government expressing concern over the situation.

Last weekend, a deadly armed conflict exploded in Pakistan’s Chaman, killing 7 people and injuring over 12 others. The clashes broke out between two opposing groups in Balochistan.

Meanwhile, last week, authorities recovered the bullet-riddled bodies of nine bus passengers who were kidnapped by insurgents during a series of attacks in the province.  The separatist Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility, accusing the victims, identified as labourers, of spying for Pakistani intelligence agencies.

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Baloch separatists, long demanding a larger share of regional resources, have previously targeted individuals from the eastern province of Punjab in similar killings.