The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and families of missing persons from Balochistan have ended their 74-day protest camp outside the National Press Club in Islamabad.
The announcement was made on Friday by Nadia Baloch, sister of detained BYC leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch, who addressed reporters alongside families of the disappeared. She said the sit-in had been met with “violence, repression and apathy” from the state.
“For over two months we have been holding a peaceful sit-in against illegal arrests and enforced disappearances of our loved ones. Instead of justice, we were met with hatred, violence and indifference,” she said.
Nadia described the camp as a painful lesson in how the state treats dissent. “The scars of physical violence may fade, but the psychological trauma and violation of dignity remain for life,” she told journalists.
She said BYC leaders including Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Bebagr Baloch, Sibgatullah Shahji, Gulzadi Baloch and Beebow Baloch had been jailed for the past six months on “fabricated and politically motivated charges” simply for raising their voices against human rights violations in Balochistan.
“The people of Balochistan, even children, know that these cases are false. These leaders were arrested only because they refused to stay silent against state repression,” she said.
Recalling the sit-in, Nadia said families endured baton charges, threats, eviction from rented houses and harassment of supporters such as lawyer Imaan Mazari and Ali Hadi. Despite this, elderly mothers stood firm through heavy rain and scorching heat.
“This perseverance showed the world how the Pakistani state treats the Baloch, even in its capital city,” she said.
Nadia credited the decision to end the camp to appeals from senior rights defenders, including Baloch writer Mohammad Ali Talpur, HRCP chair Munizae Jahangir, Defence of Human Rights head Amina Masood Janjua and others.
“After consultation, we have decided to end this protest camp in Islamabad. But our struggle against enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions will continue in different ways,” she said.
Nadia said the camp succeeded in amplifying the plight of Baloch families. “We did not remain silent against oppression. We continued the tradition of resistance, and that is the true success of our protest,” she told the press conference.
Following the announcement, BYC members and families of missing persons held a peaceful march in Islamabad’s F-6 sector. They reiterated that while the camp had ended, their campaign for the safe return of missing persons would continue across Balochistan.