Quetta Marks Defence Day, Debates Security Strategy, and Faces Gas Crisis
Quetta and Balochistan navigated a week of national remembrance, security planning, and infrastructure disruption as Pakistan marked Defence and Martyrs Day amid ongoing security challenges.
Pakistan Marks Defence and Martyrs Day at Quetta and Malir Garrisons
Dignified ceremonies were held at the Malir and Quetta Garrisons to mark Defence and Martyrs Day on September 6, 2026. At Malir, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah joined the Corps Commander Karachi along with senior officials of the Sindh Rangers and police. The Chief Minister and Corps Commander laid floral wreaths at the Martyrs Monument, offered Fateha and prayed for the departed souls. A smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army presented a guard of honour. The Chief Minister and Corps Commander also met with the families of the martyrs, paying tribute to them for the unparalleled sacrifices made in defence of the motherland. In Balochistan, the central Defence Day ceremony was held in Quetta Garrison, attended by senior military and civilian officials who reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to honouring those who gave their lives in service of Pakistan. The ceremonies featured military displays, recitations, and addresses underscoring the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces personnel over decades of service. [2]
Balochistan CM and NACTA Coordinator Map Out Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Quetta
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti held a high-level meeting on Sunday with Major General Faisal Naseer, the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) National Coordinator, in Quetta. The two officials discussed the current security landscape in Balochistan and reviewed strategies to counter terrorism and extremism in the province. The meeting reflected the ongoing collaboration between Balochistan’s provincial government and the federal counter-terrorism apparatus in addressing the security challenges that have long tested the region. Chief Minister Bugti presented a commemorative plaque to Major General Faisal Naseer as a gesture of appreciation for the cooperation between federal and provincial security institutions. Balochistan has seen a sustained focus on counter-terrorism operations in recent years, with provincial and federal authorities coordinating closely through NACTA and other bodies. The Quetta meeting signalled continued high-level attention to Balochistan’s security challenges at the national level. [3]
Gas Supplies Suspended Across Quetta After Pipeline Blast in Bolan
Gas supplies to Quetta and several other parts of Balochistan were suspended after an explosion damaged a major gas pipeline near Gokurt in the Bolan area. According to Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) officials, the incident involved an 18-inch-diameter pipeline that was damaged by an explosive device near its valve assembly, located about 800 metres from the National Highway. The blast resulted in suspension of gas supplies to Quetta as well as to Kolpur, Mach, Mastung, Kalat, Pishin, and Ziarat. Flames were reported to have emerged from the damaged pipeline following the explosion, while the affected area was secured for safety and inspection. SSGC officials said repair teams would be dispatched to the site as soon as the situation allowed. The incident added to the pressures on Balochistan’s already strained energy infrastructure, with residents of Quetta and the affected towns facing gas supply disruptions. Authorities were assessing the extent of the damage ahead of repair operations. [4]
Sources: [2] RADIO PAKISTAN · [3] The News Pakistan · [4] tribune.com.pk