Quetta Businessman Shot Dead; Highway Protests Block Route

Prominent Businessman Shot Dead on Quetta Highway

On Saturday, Muhammad Hashim Khan, a well-known businessman and hotel owner, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen as he traveled from Kuchlak to Quetta in his private Vigo. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Airport Police Station.

Khan sustained multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the head, resulting in his death on the spot. Law enforcement officials arrived at the scene and transported Khan’s body to Civil Hospital Quetta for legal formalities and a post-mortem examination.

The victim’s family has not indicated any personal enmity in their initial statements. Investigators have collected evidence from the crime scene and are searching for the attackers, examining various possible motives behind the killing.

In response to the incident, Khan’s family, members of the business community, and civil society staged a protest at Bileli, blocking the national highway connecting Quetta with Chaman, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. The blockade caused long queues of vehicles on both sides of the road.

Balochistan Assembly Member Malik Naeem Bazai, Deputy Commissioner Quetta, and other officials reached the protest site to express condolences and negotiate for protesters to reopen the highway. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Provincial Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove strongly condemned the killing and ordered an immediate report from the Inspector General of Police.

Bugti directed that the case be handed over to the Special Investigation Unit, with a commitment to transparent and effective investigation. He vowed that the perpetrators would face justice, and the victim’s family would receive justice as well.

Later on Saturday, an explosion occurred near Mian Ghundi close to a police vehicle transporting prisoners. The blast caused partial damage to the vehicle but resulted in no casualties. The area was cordoned off, evidence collected, and an investigation into the incident is underway.