Students at Uthal University continued their sit-in protest demanding the immediate recovery of Bayan Baloch, a fellow student who was reportedly forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces from Uthal Bazaar several days ago.
The sit-in began on Sunday outside the university’s main gate and has drawn significant participation from students and family members of the missing, including Bayan’s father, who called for his recovery. “Even education has become unsafe, and targeting students is unacceptable,” he said.
According to protest organizers, Bayan was abducted alongside three other students, who have since been released. However, Bayan’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent activist, condemned the situation in a statement on X. “Is this not genocide? Is this not the height of barbarity and oppression? Are the Baloch not human beings, deserving of the same fundamental rights as everyone else?” she wrote.
Dr. Baloch highlighted the suffering of Bayan’s family. “The suffering of the Baloch people today is beyond words,” she wrote. “As human beings, it is our collective moral duty to acknowledge the anguish of these parents, empathize with their pain, and respond to their calls for justice with urgency and sincerity.”
On Sunday, students organized a rally and a seminar at the sit-in site. Protesters held placards and pictures of Bayan and other missing students, urging authorities to take immediate action. “We demand justice for Bayan Baloch and all victims of enforced disappearances,” said a student protester. “Our protest will continue until our demands are met.”
Protesting students warned of escalating actions if authorities fail to respond. “We will not remain silent. If Bayan is not recovered, we will intensify our protests,” they said.
Quetta: Bolan Medical College Students Protest Campus Closure
Meanwhile, students of Bolan Medical College (BMC) in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, continued their sit-in protest on Tuesday, demanding the reopening of their institution and its hostels.
The demonstrators are calling for the release of detained students, the reopening of the college, and action against police personnel and administrators allegedly involved in the “illegal occupation” of the hostels by security forces.
“Our demonstration is a fight for our rights, and we will not back down under any circumstances,” said one of the protesting students.
The students warned that they would escalate their protests across Balochistan if their demands are not met. “This protest will not end until the hostels and college are reopened, and detained students are released,” they added.