Tag: Baloch protesters

  • State won’t accept ‘elements’ supporting terrorists in Balochistan, says PM Kakar

    State won’t accept ‘elements’ supporting terrorists in Balochistan, says PM Kakar

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar criticised “elements” who are backing terrorists and militants in the name of supporting Baloch protesters demanding the release of all missing persons.
    The prime minister’s statement came during a press conference in Lahore as the Baloch families of missing persons protested against “enforced disappearance” and “extrajudicial killing” in Islamabad.

    PM Kakar said that the state would not tolerate elements who are supporting militants and terrorists involved in the killing of individuals from Balochistan, including teachers, doctors, and lawyers.

    The Prime Minister also criticised the media for portraying the Baloch families protest in an inaccurate way, but in reality, he said, Baloch stood with Pakistan.

    The premier said that there was no restriction on freedom of expression and that every citizen has the right to protest within constitutional limits. “The families have the right to protest for their beloved ones, but others are just launching baseless criticism.”

    However, he also said that the state won’t allow those elements who want to support militants and terrorists in the country.
    “Those who want to support them [armed militants] should join the camp of the militant outfits who termed terrorism as a movement,” he added.
    Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar also said that the Indian spy agency, Research and Analysis Wing (Raw), is funding terrorists in Balochistan.

    On the other hand, Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch tweeted on X (previously Twitter) in response to Kakar’s press conference: “From the inception of our movement, our demands have been clear: an end to all forms of human rights violations in Balochistan and the cessation of the Baloch genocide. We’ve presented these demands to the state through the media. Our stance has remained clear from the beginning – we seek negotiations with the state regarding these demands. Sadly, the world witnesses the continuous irresponsibility and stubbornness of the state, where peaceful protestors endure torture and arrests, and media trials are conducted against this peaceful movement. Today, the Prime Minister of Pakistan declared victims of enforced disappearances as terrorists, insulting victim families and addressing peaceful political activists in a threatening tone. However, we assert to this state and government that we will persist in informing the world about your oppression and barbarism.”

  • Climate activist Greta Thunberg commends Baloch protestors; Islamabad police gets trolled in replies

    Climate activist Greta Thunberg commends Baloch protestors; Islamabad police gets trolled in replies

    Climate activist Greta Thunberg has expressed solidarity with Baloch Protestors who had to face police brutality on Wednesday night after marching to Islamabad.

    Taking to X, Thunberg tagged the female leader of the march Mehrang Baloch, and condemned Islamabad Police for detaining, torturing, and disrupting peaceful protestors. “Climate justice activists all over the world stand in solidarity with Mehrang Baloch and other peaceful protesters who have been detained, tortured and disrupted by Islamabad police for protesting against human rights abuses in Balochistan.”

    Islamabad Police is being slammed for using baton charges, water cannons, and arrests to deter the protestors. However, the response by the police under Greta’s post enraged many.

    The official handle of the police stated, “There is no evidence of any injured persons at all.”

    To this people started sharing the pictures and videos of police assaulting the protestors as proof.

    A user responded sarcastically, “Dear Islamabad Police, Greta doesn’t watch Pakistani TV channels.”

    Baloch protesters are on roads demanding the release of all “missing persons” and an end to “extrajudicial killings” in Balochistan under the leadership of activist Dr Mahrang Baloch and Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).

  • ‘Baloch protestors can stay in Islamabad, protest, or go back home. The choice is theirs’: IHC Chief Justice

    ‘Baloch protestors can stay in Islamabad, protest, or go back home. The choice is theirs’: IHC Chief Justice

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) raised concerns on Friday about the forced repatriation of Baloch protesters, who had experienced harsh police action the day before, back to their province.

    Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard a petition filed by Baloch protesters against unlawful detention, questioning why they were being “forcefully” sent back to Balochistan.

    “They can stay in Islamabad, protest, or go back home. The choice is theirs,” remarked Justice Aamer Farooq

    The police used brutal force on Wednesday night to disperse and detain Baloch demonstrators in Islamabad, who were protesting against enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings in their province.

    Over 200 protesters were taken into custody after encountering tear gas, water cannons, and police batons.

    The government later claimed that more than 90 per cent of the Baloch men and women in custody had been released, except for men “who could not be identified” by the police.

    However, during the IHC hearing on a petition seeking the release of detained Baloch protesters, it was revealed that over 50 Baloch women protesters had gone missing after police took action.

    The court instructed representatives of the protesters and their counsel to approach the Islamabad SSP (Investigation) to record their version and sought a report from the police.

    Petitioners’ counsel Attaullah Kundi and Imaan Mazari appeared before the court, explaining that the police had informed them that buses were waiting to take protesters back home.

    Kundi stated that the police chief had mentioned orders from the prime minister for the repatriation of protesters, and Baloch women were forcefully filled into buses. He further revealed that some Baloch students studying in Islamabad were also coerced into the buses.

    The court expressed displeasure and summoned IG Akbar Nasir in response. The police chief claimed to have arranged transport for the protesters, to which the court questioned why they were sent back forcefully. Chief Justice Farooq emphasized that the protesters had the choice to stay in Islamabad, protest, or go home.

    When asked how many protesters were in police custody, the IG replied that 216 Baloch men and women were at the Kohsar police station of which some had been sent on judicial remand. Out of these, 19 women were released, he added.

    Protesters at the Tarnol police station were released by the local magistrate while 162 detainees were sent on judicial remand, said IG Nasir.

    The court also asked about the number of women who were sent home, those released, and the ones staying at the hostel. It also directed the police chief to arrange a meeting of the women with their counsels.

    “You have to convince them that not one person is missing,” Justice Farooq emphasised.

    Journalist Hamid Mir and Ahmed Butt of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also provided insights during the hearing. Mir highlighted discrepancies in government statements, and Butt emphasized the constitutional right to protest in a democracy.

    The court directed the police chief to arrange a meeting between the detained women and their counsels and ensure transparency in the process.

    The IHC CJ further expressed displeasure over Wednesday night’s events, regretting the police action on protesters. “What kind of a society are we living in? Even if a common person is being unjust, public officeholders should always be careful,” he remarked.

    The court then instructed Kundi to oversee the entire matter and contact the IHC registrar’s office if there was a problem. It further said that all the women staying at the I-10 hostel be released.

    “I will issue a detailed order of today’s proceedings,” Justice Farooq said, adding that the next hearing would be conducted by Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb.

  • Water cannons, arrests for Baloch protestors upon reaching Islamabad

    Water cannons, arrests for Baloch protestors upon reaching Islamabad

    An ethnic Baloch activist leader said on Thursday that Islamabad police detained and assaulted several peaceful protesters, demanding the release of all “missing persons” and an end to “extrajudicial killing” in Balochistan under the leadership of activist Dr Mahrang Baloch and Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).

    The march started in Turbat, Balochistan, on December 6 after the alleged extrajudicial killing of 24-year-old Balach Baloch.

    According to BYC, when the march reached the capital, the city administration didn’t allow them to protest in front of the press club. Maharng Baloch said in her live video from the Facebook page of BYC that Islamabad police arrested 300 male protesters, eight women, and 10 children.

    Dr Baloch also wrote on X (previously Twitter) on Thursday morning that police transferred the arrested protesters to various police stations in the city.

    “At this time they are taking women and children to another station. We are unable to connect to our male fellows, we fear that the state will abduct them.”

    Islamabad police also said in a statement that “Legal action will be taken against those blocking the road.”

    In a voice message sent to Arab News, Mahrang Baloch said that dozens of young Baloch men had been forcefully disappeared, and now a new wave of “extrajudicial” killing has started.