The Supreme Court of Pakistan has announced a hearing into the Interior Ministry’s request against the formation of a judicial commission to investigate cases of harassment against Baloch students.
The Islamabad High Court announced the formation of a commission to investigate the racial profiling and harassment of Baloch students in different universities in Islamabad. The Interior Ministry of Pakistan defied the order and challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, will hear the case on Monday.
It should be noted that Baloch students in Islamabad frequently complain that they are racially profiled and repeatedly harassed by the Pakistani authorities and the university administrations. They claim that members of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies, disguised as HEC officials, interrogate them and ask inappropriate questions. The students also complain that the so-called “officials” search through their smartphones and social media accounts.
Baloch students in Islamabad and Punjab have carried out protests against this practice, demanding the authorities take action. They also met with the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, who personally assured them that their concerns will be alleviated.
Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar criticized the government on Sunday for challenging the formation of a commission to address the issues of Baloch students. Taking to Twitter, Khokhar said: “Ironic that govt has filed an appeal in Supreme Court against the commission formed by IHC to address the issues faced by Baloch students. Once upon a time, we were quite sympathetic to their concerns in opposition.”