A strike was called in Balochistan in connection with the International Day Against Violence, which blocked highways and shut down businesses.

Below is an article published by The Nation:

A wheel-jam and shutterdown strike disturbed the normal life in different towns of Balochistan on Friday [26 June 2009]. The strike call was given by Baloch National Front (BNF) in connection with International Day against Violence, which was supported by Baloch Republican Party (BRP) and Anjuman-e-Ittehad-e-Marri.

The protesters blocked the highways connecting Quetta with Karachi and Sibi at various places along with the Quetta-Taftan Road at Nushki.

The towns affected by the strike were Nushki, Dalbandin, Taftan, Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, Turbat, Mund, Tump, Pasni, Punjgur, Gwadar, Hub and Mach.

In Quetta, the strike was partial and government offices, courts and banks functioned as usual while traffic was also seen plying on the roads. However, business activities were suspended on Sabzal Road, Sariab Road, Double Road, Jinnah Road, Brewery Road and Killi Ismail.

Protesters pelted vehicles with stones and burnt tyres at Sariab, Sabzal, Brewery and Qambarani roads.

Keeping in view the prevailing law and order situation, the administration had made strict security arrangements on the eve of strike. Police backed by other law enforcement agencies were deployed at different places in the City and mobile squads continued patrolling the roads.

According to reports, protest rallies were also taken out in Hub, Punjgur, Turbat, Mand and some other towns.