By Staff Reporter
QUETTA: The district administration in Surab has imposed a curfew across the district that will run until 15 August, as authorities in neighbouring Khuzdar separately ordered markets and commercial premises to close earlier each evening, amid a wider tightening of security measures across Balochistan.
An official notification issued on Sunday said the curfew in Surab would be enforced daily between 8pm and 9am, beginning 9 August and continuing through to 15 August 2026. It cited concerns over the law and order situation in the district but did not specify the nature of the threat prompting the restriction.
Residents have been told to avoid leaving their homes unnecessarily during the curfew hours and to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies operating in the area. The notification also instructed the public to strictly observe security standard operating procedures that have been issued for the protection of families in the district.
Officials warned that anyone found breaching the curfew would bear responsibility for any harm or loss arising from their actions, and said legal action would be taken against violators.
Khuzdar cuts trading hours
In a separate move, the district administration in Khuzdar announced revised operating hours for commercial centres across the district, again citing growing security concerns.
A notification from the office of the Khuzdar deputy commissioner said the step had been taken as a temporary precaution to safeguard the lives and property of residents and the local business community. Under the new arrangement, markets, shops, hotels and other commercial establishments in the district will be required to close from 8pm to 10am each day.
The order took effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice. Pharmacies, medical stores, private hospitals and other healthcare facilities have been exempted, given the essential nature of the services they provide.
The Khuzdar administration has directed assistant commissioners, magistrates and police officials to ensure the order is strictly enforced within their respective jurisdictions. Traders and members of the public have been urged to cooperate with the authorities to help reduce potential security threats and protect lives and property.
Officials said the restrictions would be reviewed, and amended if necessary, once the security situation had been reassessed.
The measures in Surab and Khuzdar follow similar restrictions imposed elsewhere in Balochistan in recent weeks. Authorities in Kalat have announced curfew hours from 10pm to 7am on a series of dates through August, with residents told to avoid unnecessary movement and cooperate with law enforcement. A night-time curfew was also imposed in Nushki district in late July amid a worsening security situation in the province, where armed militant groups have intensified attacks on military and security installations in recent weeks.
Balochistan has experienced a prolonged and, at times, intensifying insurgency, with security forces regularly conducting operations against militant groups. Provincial officials have repeatedly stated their commitment to protecting civilian life and property while pursuing security operations, though rights groups and local political figures have raised concerns in the past about the impact of extended lockdowns and restrictions on residents in affected districts.
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