Islamabad police arrested dozens of Baloch protesters in multiple areas of the federal capital late Wednesday night. They also baton-charged them during a demonstration against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
Videos of the arrests shared on social media showed security officials firing water canons and tear gas at the protesters. They could also be seen dragging Baloch men and women into police vans and beating them with clubs.
The police also dismantled camps and loudspeakers set up by the demonstrators outside the National Press Club.
A day earlier, a long march led by Baloch women — which started in Turbat on Dec 6 after the alleged “extra-judicial killing” of a Baloch youth by the Counter-Terrorism Department officials — reached the federal capital. However, the police blocked entry points of the city along with major arteries to prevent the protesters from reaching the National Press Club.
- Police blocked routes to the press club and Srinagar Highway during a Baloch protest in Islamabad, causing significant traffic jams.
- Islamabad police claimed to use non-lethal methods against protesters, citing the presence of “masked men carrying batons.”
- Protesters allegedly threw stones at police officials, leading to arrests and detentions. Legal action is promised against road blockers.
- The detained protesters were taken to various police stations, including Aabpara, Kohsar, Secretariat, and Margalla. Women demonstrators were transported to the Women Police Station.
- The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan strongly condemned the “violent police crackdown,” stating that women, children, and the elderly were subjected to unwarranted force.
- The Commission criticized the treatment of Baloch citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly, deeming it inexcusable and reflecting a disregard for their demands for the upholding of their rights.
The HRCP demanded that all those detained must be released unconditionally. “Once again, we urgently call on the government to organise a delegation to meet the protesters and give their legitimate demands a fair hearing,” it added.
Activist Ammar Rashid said the images of Baloch women, children and youth being beaten and arrested on Islamabad’s streets “will live on in infamy”.
“This unelected anti-people regime is playing dice with both the federation and constitution to keep itself in power,” he said.
The PTI also condemned the arrests and called on the state to “analyse its decisions and make the most serious efforts to solve the problems, especially the concerns of Baloch citizens”.
