QUETTA: A strike and `Black Day` was observed in parts of Balochistan on Thursday in response to a call by the Baloch Salvation Front (BSF) to protest against the `annexation` of Kalat state by Pakistan on March 27, 1948.

Businesses in Quetta, Nushki, Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, Hub, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar, Kharan and Sibi remained closed.

`Black Day` was observed by the BSF, Baloch National Voice (BNV), Baloch National Front (BNF), Baloch Watan Movement (BWM), Baloch Gahar Movement (BGM) and the banned Balcoh Students Organisation-Azad (BSO-A).

The nationalist groups claimed that though the Baloch had opposed the annexation, the land was forcibly merged in the new state of Pakistan on March 27, 1948. The BSF said Baloch people had nothing to do with Pakistan`s political or civil privileges or electoral process to form the socalled political government which, they added, was dominated by powerful institutions of the state.

Meanwhile, the BSO took out a procession from the Awami Pump Saraib road in Quetta which passed through different roads and culminated at the press club.

BSO Chairman Javed Baloch and member organising committee of the BNP-M Agha Hasan Baloch said at the rally that Baloch people were suffering due to the government`s alleged oppressive policies.

They said rulers were reluctant to recognise the rights of Baloch because they wanted to control the coast and resources of Balochistan.