The sit-in protest in Chaman continues unabated, spreading to various parts of the city following the death of two people. The protesters have blocked access to the Passport office, the NADRA office, the Press Club and the main Quetta-Khojak Top highway. Talks with a delegation sent by the government have failed.

The sit-in, which began in October of last year, has now lasted for over 200 days, making it the longest in Balochistan’s history.

The reason

Chaman borders on Afghanistan. The district, which was separated from Qilla Abdullah in 2021, has a population of around half a million. A majority of the people are from the Achakzai clan. Some Achakzai families also reside across the border in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan.

The Chaman border crossing, also known as the Bab-i-Dosti [Friendship Gate], is one of the busiest between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is a crucial transit point for trade, travel and transportation between the two countries.

The crossing is an important economic lifeline for many local communities, facilitating not only trade but also cultural and social exchanges. It has also been a hotspot for security challenges, smuggling and occasional cross-border tensions.

Before 2023, locals used to travel between Afghanistan and Pakistan on a CNIC or an Afghan Tazkira (identity card). According to local estimates, between 20,000 and 25,000 people from Chaman crossed the border every morning to work and returned home in the evening.

In October of last year, the caretaker government enfored new border controls requiring passports and visas. This led to the closure of the border crossing from November 1. The change in border regulation was met with protests by local traders, labour unions and political parties. These eventually turned into the ongoing sit-in. Several rounds of talks with the government have failed.

A few days ago, Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti formed a high-level delegation to hold discussions with all stakeholders. The delegation was led by the Provincial Assembly speaker, Captain Khaliq and Home Minister Ziaullah Langau. Two days ago, the committee met with the participants of the Chaman sit-in. The talks failed.

Chaman border is unique

Sadiq Achakzai, one of the sit-in leaders, tells The News Sunday that the problems at the Chaman border are unique. “There are many peaceful border crossings in the world that see regular trade. Chaman too used to be like that. We have faced many difficulties since the protest began. We have endured baton charge. Our tents have been set on fire. For the first time since the formation of the new government, the Chaman border issue has been discussed in the National and Provincial Assemblies. A delegation from the government has arrived to negotiate with the participants of the sit-in,” says Achakzai.

“We have closed the main route. We will not back down. Local business and people’s movements happen all over the world,” he says.

“Our problem have not been discussed on the mainstream media. Most of the news about our protest reaches people through social media. After the opposition leader talked about the Chaman issue, it was reported in the national media,” he says.

Achakzai says censorship is rife in Chaman. “Only Afghan Pashto media or international media like Voice of America and the BBC can report on the issue. FIRs have been lodged against some local journalists for streaming the protests on social media,” he says. “The internet service has been blocked. The deputy commissioner is helpless. The district police officer is helpless. Some unfamiliar powers have taken over the administration,” he says.

Advocate Mohib Khilji says governments must always take into account the impacts of every change of rules.

“Here, a new policy was imposed without consulting the local population. Many people in Chaman and Qila Abdullah do not have CNICs. Their livelihoods are linked to border trade.

“Such policies need to be reconsidered. A new law should be enforced in a considerate, people-friendly manner,” he says.

“The government should negotiate with the participants of the sit-in,” he says.

The impact

Muhammad Zahir, a journalist, says that life has become extremely difficult for people of Chaman. “Their problems have been increasing. People are finding it hard to make do. Some were forced to migrate. Some of the youth have started working in other provinces for Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,0000 per month,” he says.

Following the closure of the border, some of the people in Chaman have started working in coalmines. “Around Eid, two young men who used to work on the border lost their lives when a coal mine collapsed,” says Zahir. “Three children have died because their parents did not have money for their treatment. Recently, two young men committed suicide due to poverty,” he says.

Zahir says he has been privy to many heartbreaking moments. “I was at a protest rally when a father of four addressed the crowd, pleading with them to buy his children because he could no longer support them.

“Some of the children who used to study in private schools have dropped out. Their parents are now enrolling them in smadrassahs and government schools. In low-income households, many children have had to discontinue their studies and go to another city to earn a living,” he says. “Some people have sold jewellery and furniture to make do,” he adds.

All of Chaman has been affected by the border closure. From grocers to fruit sellers and transporters, everyone has been affected. Public servants alone are relatively secure; the rest of the people are struggling to survive.

Salahuddin Malizi, a resident of Chaman, says he finds it strange that important decisions affecting people’s lives can be taken without adequate consideration for the people affected by those. “I have been unemployed for eight months. What else can I say about how life goes on? If this continues for a few more months, perhaps we will die of hunger,” he says.

Social worker Alamgir Hairan says livelihoods and businesses of many people are linked to the border trade. That is the reason, he says, they have stood their ground. “A few days ago, the protesters were attacked. Two people were killed in the chaos that followed, many were injured. The bodies were handed voer to the bereaved families two days later.”

“At this point, te protsters include everyone - from children to adults, from businessmen to labourers and people from across the political spectrum,” says Hairan.

The writer is a freelance reporter