The Balochjehti (Byc) committee continued on Saturday its ongoing sitting on the road that led to the National Press Club in Islamabad, since the police had blocked with barbed wire, preventing them from returning to their original protest site.
An anti -terrorist court in Quetta on Friday referred to the Chief of Byc, Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other organizers of the group to police custody for 15 days, in the event that she and other members of Byc “attacked” the Civil Hospital of Quetta and “incite people to violence” in March.
TO Dawn.com The correspondent in the scene reported that protesters were not allowed to establish their protest camp outside the press club, so they would go at night and return to demonstrate in the afternoon. When they arrived today, they found the route to the blocked press club.
“We started our camp in the morning and ended at night, since the authorities did not allow us to erect tents,” said a protester woman. Dawn.com. “When we returned today, they did not allow us to continue and they told us that we did not have a NOC (certificate without objection).”
She continued that “everyone had the right to protest except for Baloch.”
“We have been sitting on the main road peacefully for the fourth day, but the police have called on buses to take us and increased their number,” he added.
When asked about the possibility of repression, the protester said: “They are prepared to drag us to the buses and take us back to Baluchistan.”
According to the byc, the elderly, women and children are among today’s protesters and face extreme heat.
“Whether in rain or in abrasing heat, they have continued their peaceful manifestation on the barefoot paths, without tents or shadow,” the group wrote in X.
Lawyer Nadia Baloch, Mahrang’s sister, expressed fears of police repression in a position on X.
“The riot police have surrounded the National Press Club in Islamabad and its surrounding areas with spike wire,” he wrote.
“We are peaceful protesters, including older women and young children, who have traveled thousands of kilometers from Baluchistan to this city of power and authority, only to face the threat of arrest, violence and intimidation.”
Former PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar said Dawn.com That there are “just 20 women” in the demonstration and that protest is their fundamental right.
He highlighted two main problems in Baluchistan, which are causing discontent among people and contributing to protests like this.
“There are two fundamental issues in Baluchistan: number one, people want their representative assembly and their government,” Babar explained.
“People in Baluchistan feel that neither the assembly nor the government are their genuine representative. When they do not trust their government … there is resentment.”
Babar stressed that the second problem is the forced disappearance, stating: “My suggestion to the State would be to leave the mode of denial, admit that there is a problem of forced disappearances and sit together.”
Babar emphasized that all interested parties should sit together and find a solution.
“A solution can be found: there have been recommendations made by Parliament and there are observations made by the courts.” Sit all together and find a way. “
The former Jamaat-I-Islami senator, Mushtaq Ahmed, who is present in the protest, he said Dawn.com That 25-30 people protest.
“They are demonstrating their right to live and right to a right trial under article 10 of the Constitution,” said Ahmed. “The roads have been closed and there is a heavy police deployment. Here is an atmosphere of fear.”
The former senator said that he condemned this because the protesters have not blocked the roads. “This will not solve the problem and the people behind this are playing with fire.”
The Pakistan Human Rights Commission (HRCP) issued a statement about X that expresses concern about the treatment of Baloch activists who have traveled from Baluchistan to the Federal Capital.
“HRCP defends its right to the Pacific Assembly and protest and demands that the authorities differentiate between the defense of legitimate rights and militancy,” reads the statement. “Baluchistan’s women and children deserve as much dignity and respect as people from other parts of the country.”
