At least three people are dead and several injured after participants of a Balochistan Yakjehti Committee (BYC) protest clashed with security personnel in different areas of the province on Sunday.
Despite roadblocks set up by the authorities, a large number of people managed to reach Gwadar’s Marine Drive for the Baloch Rajee Muchi (Baloch National Gathering) from across the province.
Sources told Dawn that two people were killed and two others injured when security forces stopped a convoy at the Talar check-post. Officials claimed that security forces were defending themselves against a mob that reportedly attacked the check-post.
Additionally, one person died and eight others were injured in clashes that erupted after authorities used teargas to disperse people gathered on Marine Drive. At least 20 people were also arrested.
The death toll was confirmed by health authorities in Gwadar. “We have received three bodies and eight injured persons in the hospital,” a senior official told Dawn, adding that two of the injured were transferred to Turbat.
Dawn tried to contact Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langove and Provincial Spokesperson Shahid Rind, but due to a communications blackout, they and other relevant officials could not be reached for comment.
Later, addressing the gathering in Gwadar, BYC leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch and others vowed not to abandon their struggle for the rights of the Baloch people and the protection of the province’s resources.
Referring to the deaths of those who attended the gathering, Mahrang demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killings. She also called for the release of the protesters detained by security forces.
“Until the release of our people, the sit-in will continue at Marine Drive,” she announced.
Life in Disarray
Life in various areas of southern Balochistan, including Makran, came to a standstill, with roads and highways leading to Gwadar blocked throughout the day.
There was no traffic on the Quetta-Karachi highway as authorities blocked the road due to a sit-in in Mastung. The demonstration was held to protest the firing on a convoy of protesters the previous day, which resulted in 14 people being injured.
A complete shutter-down strike was also observed in Mastung, Kalat, Noshki, Khuzdar, Noshki, Dalbandin, Awaran, Lasbela, Chagai, Nokundi, Gwadar, Turbat, and Pasni. BYC activists staged sit-ins at least 14 locations along highways and inter-provincial roads. In Quetta, roads leading towards the Red Zone were blocked, and hundreds of police and levies officials were deployed for security.
Political Support for BYC
Leaders of the Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) and the National Party condemned the use of force against the peaceful supporters of the BYC.
BNP leader Sajid Tareen Advocate said their party would also participate in these protests. He pointed out that people in Gwadar were still demanding potable water and urged the government to allow peaceful protests. He said the Baloch and Pashtun people were being deliberately marginalized, leading to heightened tensions and pushing people towards armed resistance.
National Party leaders Aslam Baloch and Kalsoom Niaz Baloch held the Balochistan government, led by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, responsible for the political instability in Balochistan.
They alleged that non-political forces were exploiting the current situation and that the government was deliberately spreading unrest in Balochistan. They claimed that a form of civil martial law was in place and that the “puppet government” was intentionally worsening the situation.
Separately, Amnesty International called on Pakistani authorities to immediately lift the internet shutdown in Balochistan and fulfill its obligations under domestic and international human rights law. Amnesty International also urged the authorities to facilitate the right to peaceful protest by lifting road blockades on the way to Gwadar to allow freedom of movement for protesters.
