Punjab bans public transport to Balochistan after 5pm amid surge in terrorist attacks

In response to a disturbing uptick in terrorist attacks targeting passenger vehicles, authorities in Dera Ghazi Khan have imposed sweeping travel restrictions along National Highway N-70, barring all public and private transport from heading toward Balochistan after 5:00 pm daily.

The move came after a recent tragic incident in Balochistan’s Sur-Dakai area, where nine passengers travelling on Punjab-bound coaches were abducted and killed by unidentified assailants. The banned Balochistan Liberation Front claimed responsibility for the attack.

“In light of the recent terrorist attacks on National Highway N-70, the standard operating procedures (SOPs) are hereby issued for immediate and strict compliance by all transport services operating between Punjab and Balochistan to ensure the safety and security of passengers and vehicles,” read an official notification released by the local administration.

 Passenger coach attacked near Kalat: Three killed, 7 injured in gunfire

Deputy Commissioner Usman Khalid confirmed that all public transport vehicles would be halted at the Bawata border area after 5:00 pm and may only resume travel after 5:00 am the next morning. 

He urged transporters to avoid travelling in the evening. These are preventive measures to safeguard lives.

Under the new SOPs, all vehicles, public and private, must cease travel at checkpoints in Sakhi Sarwar and Bawata by 5:00 pm. Night-time travel is now strictly prohibited under all circumstances.

In addition to travel curbs, strict security measures such as video recording of all passengers at DG Khan bus stands prior to departure, two armed private security guards must accompany each bus, functional CCTV cameras must be installed both inside and outside the vehicle,

GPS tracking systems and emergency panic buttons will be compulsory for all travel operators. 

Read: Nine passengers travelling from Quetta to Punjab kidnapped and killed by terrorists

Authorities have warned that violations of these directives will result in immediate legal action.

The decision followed a disturbing pattern of violence in Balochistan. In March, five people were killed when militants blocked the highway in Gwadar's Kalmat area. 

In February, seven passengers were executed in Barkhan district after being offloaded from a bus. Officials have linked these incidents to an increase in cross-border terrorism, especially after what Islamabad has termed a “military victory over India.”