The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has condemned the arrests of protesting government employees and disciplinary action against doctors and paramedics in Balochistan, saying the measures reflected a coercive approach to public protests.
In a statement, the BYC said dozens of employees were arrested during a protest by the Balochistan Grand Alliance, including its central organiser Professor Abdul Qudoos Kakar and GTA Balochistan finance secretary Manzoor Baloch.
The BYC said employees protesting for economic and constitutional rights had been met with baton-charges, tear gas and arrests.
It said raising demands during a period of inflation, unemployment and economic hardship should not be treated as a crime.
“When a government, instead of listening to the demands of its own employees, uses batons against them, deploys tear gas and puts them in prisons, it becomes clear that it is afraid of the public voice and democratic protest,” the BYC said.
The BYC said the crackdown on the Balochistan Grand Alliance had once again exposed what it called the government’s “fascist face,” adding that workers, teachers, employees and labouring classes were being met with force when they came onto the streets for their rights.
“This is not democratic governance, but a clear sign of oppression and authoritarianism,” it added.
The organisation also criticised action against doctors and medical staff protesting at Civil Hospital Quetta after the acid attack on Dr Mahnoor Nasar.
According to the BYC, 28 doctors and 168 paramedics have been suspended, while the training of five postgraduate trainee doctors has been terminated.
The spokesperson said the action against doctors showed that those who raised their voices against oppression were not given justice, but were instead punished and silenced.
“Punishing those who demand justice for a woman doctor who survived an acid attack is, in fact, a continuation of the fascist style of governance that considers every organised and peaceful public voice a threat to itself,” the statement said.
The BYC said peaceful protest was the basic and constitutional right of every citizen, adding that taking away this right through force was an attack on freedom of expression, organisation and democratic struggle.
It demanded the immediate release of arrested employees, the withdrawal of cases against them, the reinstatement of suspended doctors and paramedics, and the restoration of training for the postgraduate trainee doctors.
“Public rights movements cannot be suppressed through coercion, violence, suspensions and arrests, nor can demands for justice, dignity and basic rights be silenced,” the statement said.