Quetta protests intensify over kidnapping of boy

Nine-year-old Musawwir Kakar’s abduction while he was on his way to school has sparked widespread protests for the last five days. Political parties, traders, along with the boy’s family have united and have demanded his immediate recovery.

The leaders of all the political parties and the representatives of traders’ associations have expressed solidarity with the boy’s family, criticising the government for its failure to ensure security in the provincial capital.

“The Safe City Project, which cost Rs9 billion has failed to protect it’s citizens,” said Rahim Kakar, President of the Quetta Traders’ Association, told Voicepk.net. “Hundreds of closed circuit cameras were installed under the project but the kidnappers managed to escape undetected,” he said. Even Balochistan’s Inspector General of Police has admitted to 650 of the CCTV cameras being non-functional after six months of their installation, he pointed out.

“The citizens want to know why are cameras non-functional, he questioned. “What is the point of spending billions on a project when it does not even work properly?”

He asked how the police would catch criminals if the cameras did not work.

Musawwir’s family, distraught and frustrated, revealed that despite five days since the abduction, there has been no progress in locating the boy. His uncle, Haji Malang, vowed to continue blocking roads and staging protests until Musawwir is recovered safely.

“The protesting committee would decide the next course of action but for now we intend to continue the sit-in till Musawwir is recovered from his abductors,” Malang told Voicepk. He said the protests would turn vociferous if by November 20 the boy did not return home.

The closure of Quetta’s Ittehad Chowk by protesters has severely disrupted daily life in the city. Citizens have called for swift action to recover the child and restore normalcy.

Leaders from various political parties emphasised the need for a concrete strategy to address the situation. Rasheed Khan Asar, central secretary of the Awami National Party, who participated in the sit-in,  said the provincial government must take practical measures to ensure Musawwir’s safe return.

“Unfortunately, neither the chief minister, ministers, senior police officers nor security officials have contacted protesters for the last five days to inquire about their demands,” he said.

Protesters also raised concerns about the lack of action despite the availability of CCTV footage of the incident. “The delay in recovering Musawwir raises serious questions about the competence of the Balochistan government and police,” one protester commented.