GWADAR: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) highway near Turbat was blocked on Monday as locals held a protest to demand the recovery of three students allegedly picked up by law enforcement agencies.

       The traffic on both sides of the highway was suspended due to the protest, resulting in long queues of trucks, passenger coaches and other vehicles.

       The protesters alleged that the three students were taken into custody by law enforcement agencies from Hoshab and Tajaban areas of Kech district two days ago, and their family has no information about their whereabouts.

       Turbat Assistant Commissio-ner Haseeb Shuja negotiated with the protestors and assured them that their loved ones would be recovered.

       However, the protesters ref-u-sed to end the demonstration despite the assurance and vow-ed to block the highway until the safe recovery of the three students.

       Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2024