Protests and sit-ins continue across Balochistan in response to the heavy-handed state crackdown on participants of the ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi’ (Baloch National Gathering). The violent crackdown has resulted in numerous deaths, detentions, and injuries across the region.
Raids, Arrests, and Stranded Participants
In the early hours of Monday, Pakistani forces raided sit-in protesters in Quetta, detaining 20 individuals, including women. Tensions have escalated further in Gwadar, where reports indicate that Pakistani forces have again attacked the sit-in protest at Marine Drive.
Live rounds were fired at peaceful protesters, causing several injuries, including among women and children. Attempts have been made to arrest Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, key organizers of the ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi.’
Recent reports from Gwadar indicate that Pakistani security forces have set several vehicles belonging to the protesters on fire. The stage of BYC’s sit-in protest has also been torched, and there are reports of numerous injuries.
Thousands of participants traveling to Gwadar for the ‘Baloch National Gathering’ remain stranded at various military checkpoints across Balochistan. Reports indicate that extreme heat and lack of food and water have exacerbated conditions, particularly for women and children.
Violent Crackdown on Sunday
On Sunday, at least three people were killed, and several others were injured following a violent crackdown by Pakistani forces on the ‘Baloch National Gathering’ participants.
Security forces violently stopped a convoy at the Talaar checkpoint, resulting in two deaths and multiple injuries. Another person lost their life, and eight were injured when Pakistani forces fired live rounds to disperse protesters on Marine Drive in Gwadar. Dozens were also arrested.
Complete Standstill in Balochistan
Life in Balochistan came to a standstill on Sunday, with roads and highways blocked throughout the region. A complete shutter-down strike was observed.
Reports indicate that roads and highways leading to Gwadar were blocked throughout the day. The Quetta-Karachi highway saw no traffic as authorities blocked the road due to a sit-in in Mastung, held to protest the firing on a convoy the previous day, which left 14 injured.
A complete shutter-down strike was observed in Mastung, Kalat, Noshki, Khuzdar, Dalbandin, Awaran, Lasbela, Chagai, Nokundi, Gwadar, Turbat, and Pasni. BYC activists staged sit-ins at multiple locations along highways and inter-provincial roads. In Quetta, roads leading to the Red Zone were blocked, and hundreds of police and levies officials were deployed for security.
Support for BYC’s ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi’
Various political organizations, civil society groups, bar associations, and trade unions in Balochistan have pledged unconditional support for BYC’s ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi.’
Balochistan National Party (BNP) leader Sajid Tareen Advocate announced that his party would participate in the protests. He highlighted the ongoing demand for potable water in Gwadar and urged the government to allow peaceful protests. Tareen noted that Baloch and Pashtun people are being deliberately marginalized, escalating tensions and pushing them towards armed resistance.
Baloch National Movement (BNM) spokesperson condemned Pakistan’s use of force to halt the Baloch Raaji Muchi in Gwadar, asserting that it proves peaceful struggles for human rights in Balochistan are futile. “The world is witnessing unprovoked shootings on unarmed, peaceful people, raising the question of whether the Baloch can ever live safely in Pakistan,” the BNM stated.
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 the region. They claimed that a form of civil martial law was in place and that the “puppet government” was intentionally deteriorating the situation.
The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party said in a statement that they fully support the peaceful Baloch gathering and condemn the government’s obstructions, arrests, and violence against participants of the Baloch Raaji Muchi. The party’s central spokesperson, Talmand Khan Yousafzai, emphasized that peaceful protest, political gatherings, and demonstrations are constitutional rights of every citizen. He called the extrajudicial abduction and enforced disappearance of citizens based on political views a constitutional and humanitarian crisis.
Human Rights Organizations’ Condemnation
Amnesty International voiced concern over the state’s use of force against participants in the ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi.’ The organization highlighted the illegal and unnecessary use of force against peaceful assembly, emphasizing that it violates the right to peaceful assembly.
Amnesty International called on Pakistani authorities to lift the internet shutdown in Balochistan and fulfill their obligations under domestic and international human rights law by facilitating peaceful protests and lifting road blockades to allow freedom of movement for protesters.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed grave concern about the situation in Balochistan, particularly in Gwadar, Mastung, and Turbat, as Baloch citizens continue to attempt to gather for protests.
“We have received reports of violence against protesters, resulting in injuries, and alleged attempts by state authorities to intimidate leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee into calling off the gathering, including through arrests and enforced disappearances,” the HRCP stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Statement from Dr. Mahrang Baloch
On Monday, Dr. Mahrang Baloch issued a message to the Baloch people, stating, “First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt salute to your courage, bravery, discipline, resolve, and awareness. Today, you have sent a message not only to the state of Pakistan but to the entire world that state power and guns are but a heap of dust in front of the people’s strength. Your bravery and resolve have buried the arrogance of this state.”
She continued, “The Baloch Raaji Muchi is currently ongoing as a sit-in at Pidi Zar Gwadar. On one side, there are thousands of armed state forces, and on the other, peaceful, unarmed Baloch people. In front of the armed forces, the resolve and spirit of the Baloch people are as high as Koh-e-Bateel. I am here to give you this brief message: come to Gwadar in the greatest numbers possible. National and human rights can only be achieved through a grand public resistance struggle. Gwadar is our land, and we have the right to hold national gatherings on every inch of our land. No power in the world can take this right away from us.”
Mahrang Baloch stated that the sit-in would continue until all convoys safely reach Gwadar and all detained participants are released. “We are ready to endure every hardship and make any sacrifice necessary. I urge all individuals, associations, political organizations, and parties that morally support the Baloch Raaji Muchi to now demonstrate their support in practical terms.”