The Islamabad High Court (IHC) in Pakistan ordered local authorities and police of using force or creating any hinderance to remove the Baloch protesters staging a sit-in outside the National Press Club since December 20, The News International reported on Wednesday. It reported that Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard a petition filed by Baloch activist Sammi Deen Baloch against harassment and attempts to remove marchers by force.

Taking notice of complaints, the high court ordered Islamabad’s deputy commissioner (DC) and senior superintendent of police (SSP) operations to ensure in-person in the next hearing. Sammi’s lawyer, Ataullah Kundi Advocate, apprised the court that the sit-in of the Baloch families was peacefully continued outside Islamabad’s press club since December 20. He added that the capital authorities had made multiple attempts to forcefully remove the marchers from the venue.

He continued that they attempted to vacate the sit-in venue by forcing women to sit in buses, adding Islamabad policemen were continuously harassing them by seizing speakers and sometimes by creating tense situations of relaunching crackdowns. The police had arrested several women and children after lodging cases before the court ordered their release, he added.

The judge questioned whether the protestors were advancing to somewhere other than their venue. The lawyer replied that Baloch marchers were not advancing anywhere. The judge remarked that Shahra-e-Dastoor, in other words, Constitution Avenue has a history of hosting big demonstrations and sit-ins.

Some people had used the same spot to stage months-long sit-ins on Shahrah-e-Dastoor and hurled abuses at the courts, he continued. While reprimanding the federal capital’s authorities, Justice Kayani observed that Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) was responsible for handling the situation but the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) apparently had no interest in holding local government (LG) polls despite court orders.

He added an administration was now running Islamabad’s municipal authority and no one had an interest to accept the constitutional rights of the citizens. Later, the IHC judge issued orders, barring authorities from harassing and removing the Baloch marchers by force besides ordering DC Islamabad and SSP Operations to ensure their personal appearance in the next hearing.

The hearing was adjourned till January 5. The News International reported that last month, the long march participants led by Baloch women were detained by authorities during a demonstration in Islamabad against the enforced disappearances of Baloch missing persons.

The march began from Turbat on December 6 and reached Islamabad’s press club on December 20 when the police intercepted them. An advance party of Baloch Yakjehti Council (BYC) reached Islamabad through the Motorway, but the police intercepted it at Chungi No. 26 and barricaded all the main and artery roads, including Kashmir Avenue, leading to the Red Zone.

When they arrived in the capital, cops launched a crackdown against the protesters and dismantled their camps set up outside the National Press Club. Most of the protesters were arrested by the police, a move that sparked anguish across the country.

On December 21, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq warned the capital city’s top cop against any hindrance in the protest staged by the Baloch marchers, saying that they have the constitutional right to demonstration. Following the court directives, all protestors were released in phases after several rounds of talks with the caretaker government’s negotiation team. (ANI)

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Frowning on the use of water cannons, tear gas and excessive force against the Baloch Long March protestors in Islamabad on Thursday, Amnesty International has said that it was ‘deeply concerned’ over the crackdown.

It reiterated its demand to release all the protesters and drop the charges against them.

“Amnesty has reviewed videos showing water cannons, tear gas and batons being used against the protestors. Dozens have been detained and several others injured, including women, minors and elderly persons, violating their rights to liberty, security and protest,” the Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office said, taking to X.

“Amnesty International reiterates its demands that the Government of Pakistan – Immediately release all protestors, and drop any charges brought against them for solely exercising their right to freedom of expression and right to protest,” it added.

Amnesty also called for an impartial investigation of all extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Balochistan.

Taking to X, it posted, “Conduct an impartial investigation of all extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, particularly in Balochistan, in line with international standards. Compensate families of victims of extrajudicial killings and those forcibly disappeared.”

Meanwhile, the Official Account of Baloch Yakjahti Committee-Kech posted a video on X, that showed scenes from Barkhan Rukni where the Baloch people have blocked the main highway of Punjab to Balochistan against ‘state terrorism’ in Islamabad.

“All the highways of Balochistan will be closed while the movement against state terrorism and Baloch genocide will be started in Balochistan from today,” the council said.

“Let the state remember that they have not only tortured a few people, but they have declared war against the Baloch nation. By attacking Baloch mothers and sisters, the state has made it clear to the Baloch nation that the state considers Balochistan as its colony and does not consider the people here as human beings,” the Baloch Yakjahti Committee said in a post on X.

Islamabad police dispersed the Baloch protesters late at night on Thursday as the long march against alleged extrajudicial killings in Balochistan continued in full swing, VOA Urdu reported.

A water cannon was used for this purpose while many people, including women, were arrested too.

Following the violence, the President of Baloch Voice Association (BVA), Munir Mengal said that Pakistan should be held accountable for what they have done against the Baloch activists.

“Pakistan shall be held accountable for using chemicals on the Baloch peacefully protestors demanding Stop Baloch Genocide. The protestors, including many Baloch Women, marched from Quetta to Islamabad,” he posted on X.

Meanwhile, political activist Mahrang Baloch has said that all the protesters are arrested.

“All of the protesters are arrested and kept in different stations, at this time they are taking woman and children to another station. We are unable to connect to our male fellows, we fear that the state will abduct them,” she wrote on X, informing of the situation.

The Balochistan Yakjehti committee had asked the Baloch people to gather in front of Balochistan University on Thursday, from where the movement against the ongoing state violence against Baloch mothers and sisters in Islamabad will be launched.

The committee noted that the Baloch Long March against alleged Baloch genocide, illegal forced disappearance of the people, killing of missing persons by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in fake encounters and the activity of death squads across Balochistan had seen widespread support. (ANI)

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