Tension continues in Gwadar as Pakistani army refuses to release Baloch protesters
Pakistani Army | File photo: Bloomberg
Tensions continue in the port city of Gwadar as Pakistani forces failed to release previously arrested leaders of the Baloch Yakheti Committee (BYC) during the Baloch Raaji Muchi protests.
According to the latest statement by the BYC on X, one of the arrested leaders, Sabiha Baloch, was released late on Tuesday night following mounting discontent among the protesters. However, the whereabouts of two other Baloch activists, Sammi Deen Baloch and Sabgath Ullah Baloch, are still unknown.
In a post on X, the BYC stated, “Gwadar: Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr. Sabiha Baloch was released today after public pressure and resistance. However, we still have no information about Sammi Deen Baloch and Sabgath Ullah Baloch. They have not been in touch since yesterday morning. Moreover, more than 200 participants of the Gwadar sit-in have been arrested, and we have no information about them either.”
In another statement, the BYC called on all state institutions to unconditionally release the peaceful protesters arrested during the Baloch Raaji Muchi.
According to that statement on X, “Finally, we make it clear to the state and all its institutions to immediately release all arrested colleagues including our leaders without any ifs or buts, restore internet and mobile network in entire Makran including Gwadar and in all areas of Balochistan. Completely remove obstacles to all our convoys which are being forcibly stopped at gunpoint.”
The statement further stated that “if the state and its institutions still do not change their terrorist and oppressive behavior, then from today we will shut down the entire Balochistan including Quetta for an indefinite period and if any untoward incident occurs during this period, then all responsibility will lie with the state and it will be imposed on its institutions. Through this press conference, we inform BYC employees and Baloch people of Balochistan that peaceful and orderly dharna, protest rallies and strikes against wheel blockades and shutdowns should be held across Balochistan.”
Commenting on the same situation in Balochistan, a prominent Pakistani journalist, Hamid Mir, had earlier expressed his concerns, warning that arrests of Baloch leaders and protesters will not yield positive results.
In a post on X, the journalist said: “Sammi and Sabiha have always raised their voices against enforced disappearances. Now they have disappeared. The police say they are with FC and FC does not admit their arrest. The disappearance of their fathers has never led to any positive outcome and the disappearance of these women will cause even more damage to the state.”
Earlier in the day, the Baloch Yakheti Committee had called on the United Nations and human rights organisations to take note of the arrests of peaceful protesters by Pakistani forces.
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First print: Jul 31, 2024 | 5:24 PM IST