The Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) continues its series of protest rallies and demonstrations across various regions of Balochistan. In response to the alarming rise in extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, including what they describe as the “illegal detention” of Dr. Mahrang and other committee leaders, BYC Jhalawan zone organised a protest rally in Khuzdar.
The protest in Khuzdar saw active participation from women. However, Frontier Corps (FC) and police personnel blocked all routes, preventing the demonstrators from advancing. Despite these restrictions, the female protesters resisted and managed to reach the protest site, where they were quickly surrounded by security forces.
To block the rally, Pakistani forces deployed a significant number of female police officers and law enforcement personnel.
Participants in the Khuzdar rally reported that the internet had been shut down since the previous night to disrupt the protest. Heavy security deployment was also seen along all the major routes of the rally, and no one was allowed to move freely, with checkpoints set up throughout the city.
“It seems that those trying to intimidate us are themselves terrified of our peaceful protests,” said one protester.
It is important to note that the Baloch Yekjehti Committee has been organising similar demonstrations across Balochistan to protest against “state violence, enforced disappearances, and the continued detention of its leadership.”
According to the committee, these protests are part of a broader campaign aimed at raising public awareness against ongoing state atrocities in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Previously, similar protests and rallies have been held in Turbat, Mastung, Kharan, Noshki, Quetta, Panjgur, Dalbandin, and Hub Chowki.
Furthermore, BYC has stated that their peaceful protest movement will continue until all forcibly disappeared persons are recovered, detained leaders are granted justice, and state oppression in Balochistan comes to an end.