Baloch Yakjehti Committee sit-in enters 3rd day; traffic blocked on National Highway

• Large number of women, children attending sit-in. 
• Passenger cars, cargo trucks stuck at National Highway. 
• Home minister says govt's doors are open for talks.

QUETTA/MASTUNG: The sit-in of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on the National Highway entered the third day today with the Balochistan government inviting the protesters for talks. 

The sit-in started when the convoys of protesters were stopped from participating in the BYC's Gwadar meeting last week. 

Protesters in Mastung, who were heading to the coastal city to attend the BYC meeting, were dispersed which resulted in 14 people being injured.

Traffic moving towards Karachi, Khuzdar, Hub, Kalat, Surab, Turbat, Panjkur and Gwadar has been affected due to the closure of the National Highway. 

Moreover, all roads including Makran Coastal Highway M8 have been closed with the commuters facing difficulties as cargo trucks and passenger cars have been stuck at different places. 

The protesters have demanded the recovery of missing persons and ending the practice of seizure of resources. They have also asked for spending all the resources for the betterment of the people of Balochistan.

'Doors open for talks' 

Meanwhile, Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langove has said that the anti-state agendas are gradually coming to light, stressing that the government's doors are open for talks. 

"Innocent Baloch people are being instigated against the state under an organised conspiracy," said Langove, adding that the conspiracies against Pakistan by resorting to violence will end in failure.

HDT leader wants mobile services restored

Haq Do Tehreek (HDT) chief and Balochistan Assembly member Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman said that every political party and citizen has a right to hold protests as per the Constitution. 

Speaking during a press conference, Rehman said the government had closed the province itself for the first time by placing containers. 

Blasting the Balochistan government, the HDT leader said obstacles were placed in the BYC rally in Gwadar and there were reports of firing as well. 

He demanded that the mobile phone and internet service should be restored, urging the Balochistan government to come to its senses. Rehman also said that the missing persons should be recovered.