The Hub Chowki police have filed an FIR against protesters who staged a sit-in demanding the recovery of missing Zubair Baloch, alleging obstruction of official duties and physical altercations with law enforcement.
The FIR states that the protesters blocked the road, engaged in scuffles with police, and injured some officers. Among those named in the FIR are family members of Zubair Baloch, members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, and political activists, including Arif Baloch, Mahzaib Baloch, Javed, Abdullah, and several women.
The protest, which took place at the Hub Chowki bypass, lasted two days. It was organized by Zubair Baloch’s family and supporters, who demanded his immediate release after his alleged enforced disappearance from Hub.
The sit-in brought traffic to a standstill, drawing significant public attention to the issue of enforced disappearances in the region. However, the police’s FIR against the protesters has sparked concerns about the suppression of peaceful dissent and the criminalization of those advocating for missing persons.
While enforced disappearances across Balochistan continue unabated, the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) protest camp in front of the Quetta Press Club marked its 5,687th day as the issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan continues to raise concerns.
On this occasion, a delegation from Balochistan’s legal fraternity visited the camp to express solidarity with the families of the missing persons. The lawyers emphasized that peace and stability cannot be achieved in any society without justice, noting that enforced disappearances in Balochistan have led to widespread unrest within the region. They stressed that addressing this issue is crucial for normalizing the situation in the area.
Speaking to the delegation, VBMP Vice Chairman Mama Qadeer Baloch highlighted the increasing challenges faced by human rights activists in Balochistan. He described the struggle for Baloch rights as a direct confrontation with oppressive systems, stating, “This is a fight that requires burning bridges and unwavering determination.”