The sit-in organized by the Baloch Students Council Islamabad at Quaid-i-Azam University completed its ninth consecutive day on Tuesday, with students reaffirming their commitment to what they describe as a peaceful and organized struggle for their “clear and legitimate” demands.
The ongoing protest at the Quaid-i-Azam Univeristy, Islamabad, is being carried out against the alleged enforced disappearance of Saeed Baloch. According to the BSC, Saeed, a sixth-semester student of the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DSS), was forcibly taken on 8 July. Students say he was travelling on a public transport bus to Quetta when “unknown men in civilian clothes, accompanied by law enforcement personnel” stopped the vehicle near the Islamabad Toll Plaza between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. and allegedly offloaded him.
The Baloch Student Council claims that the university administration, including the warden at Boys Hostel 11, the clerk and faculty members of the Department of Strategic Studies, were involved in racial profiling and harassment of Saeed Baloch on campus before his eventual disappearance. The Baloch students have demanded that the university take strict, concrete actions against the responsible individuals.
According to the Council, students also held a peaceful walk on campus on Tuesday. The purpose, they said, was to demonstrate that their movement is rooted in non-violent resistance, collective unity, and adherence to principles. Participants stated that the walk was meant to remind the university administration and authorities that their concerns require urgent attention.
Protesters said that over the past nine days, their resolve has only strengthened. They reiterated demands for the recovery of their fellow students who have been subjected to enforced disappearance, as well as an end to what they allege is the profiling of Baloch students on campus.
The Council said the sit-in will continue until their concerns are acknowledged and addressed by the university administration and relevant authorities.