Protests have stretched into a seventh consecutive night in Balochistan against a recent agreement between the provincial administration and the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, local Pakistan-based daily Dawn reported on Thursday.
A Baloch government official told The FP that under the deal, 80 detained Gwadar sit-in protesters and BYC supporters were released. He said more are expected to be freed in the coming days. He said it is now upon the BYC to call off the protests.
Contrary to the government claims, BYC said the highways and roads in Noshki area remain closed due to ongoing clashes. In an update on X, BYC wrote, “7th Night: Sit-in protest continuous. In wake of brutal crackdown against the Baloch Raaji Muchi, the sit-in movement continuous at Padizir. The state is further escalating its crackdown against the peaceful protestors all over Pakistan. The Casualties and injuries of civilians are increasing during these crackdowns. These brutal actions are indication of their ambitions to suppress the peaceful Baloch movement against genocide. But they are illusions if they think the Baloch will step back from their movement for basic human rights and dignity. We never bow down before this fascist state and their violent policies of oppression. The Baloch movement against genocide will not end until the very last breath of the last Baloch. #GwadarIsUnderSiege #WeSupportBalochRaajiMuchi #BalochNationalGathering”
Leader of the BYC Mahrang Baloch said that the protests would go on till all their demands were fulfilled and added that a large number of their supporters were still behind bars.
A senior official in the Home Department said, “BYC leaders assured that the agitation would be called off by 11 a.m. on Friday.” “The notification regarding the withdrawal of FIRs was handed over to the BYC leaders late at night,” he said.
A statement by the public relations department Balochistan claimed that the BYC-government talks had been successful and resulted in the latter calling off its protests. It added: “It was decided that those facing FIRs would be released after completing judicial processes by August 5.” It also noted that no protester will be harassed, all their belongings will be returned and mobile and internet services will be restored.
