Protest demonstrations were held across Balochistan and parts of Karachi on Friday following allegations of torture and mistreatment of detained leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) by Pakistani authorities.
The protests were called by the BYC after reports emerged that Dr Mahrang Baloch, Beebow Baloch, and Gulzadi Baloch were subjected to violence while in custody.
Families and activists alleged that Beebow Baloch was forcibly removed from Hudda Jail by Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officers and remained missing for several hours before being transferred to Pishin Jail.
Demonstrations were held in Quetta, Karachi, Khuzdar, Mastung, Panjgur, Turbat, Kech, Mashkail, Kharan, Charsar, Dalbandin, Chagai, and Noshki.
In Quetta, separate rallies were held in Hudda and Killi Qambarani, where protesters condemned the alleged mistreatment of the detained BYC leaders and demanded their immediate release.
In Dalbandin, demonstrators denounced what they described as the “torture and forced transfer” of imprisoned BYC leaders to an unknown location by CTD personnel.
In Noshki, participants strongly criticised the alleged torture of Dr Mahrang Baloch, Beebow Baloch, and Gulzadi Baloch while in custody.
Large gatherings were also reported in Khuzdar, where citizens marched through the streets demanding justice and an end to enforced disappearances.
In Karachi, a heavy police presence was deployed in Faqeer Colony ahead of a planned BYC protest. Protesters said they faced harassment and threats of arrest.
Later, BYC protesters in Malir were detained and taken to a police station, where they alleged they were verbally abused.
Protesters across all cities called for an end to “state violence” and demanded the release of all detained BYC leaders.
Demonstrators carried banners and placards with slogans condemning enforced disappearances and expressing solidarity with the detained activists.
The BYC said the protest campaign would continue until the detained leaders are released and acts of violence against them are halted.
“Despite all state violence and enforced disappearances, the public’s continued presence on the streets is evidence of their growing awareness,” the group said in a statement. “They can no longer be silenced through force and violence.”
The BYC added that it would continue its protest movement “despite enduring all forms of oppression.”