Islamabad Police Announce Release of Detained Baloch Protesters After Public Outcry

Islamabad police have officially announced the release of all detained Baloch protesters following a demonstration against what they claimed were 'enforced disappearances' and extra-judicial killings. The development resulted from widespread condemnations from several human rights groups and political parties. Baloch protesters in the capital had given the local authorities a three-day ultimatum, demanding the release of detained students and the dismissal of all cases against the protestors. The long march, organized by Baloch women, began in early December and had reached Islamabad to stage a protest.

After the Islamabad police detained several Baloch protestors by using water cannons and baton charges to break up their protest, the Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) petitioned the Islamabad High Court, which ruled that protestors had the constitutional right to stage a peaceful demonstration. The support for the Baloch protesters continued to grow as a three-member cabinet committee was formed to hold talks and demands with the families of the protesters. In a statement issued today, the Islamabad police confirmed that in response to the legal requirements, the bail of the arrested protesters has been approved and the detainees are in the process of being released.

Relatives of the detained protesters are urged to contact the police for information and assistance so that legal support can be provided to them. Furthermore, a special help center has been established to facilitate the release of these individuals, as per the police. The Baloch Yakjahti Committee's movement has extended into the 31st day through an ongoing sit-in outside the National Press Club in Islamabad. A protester in the march indicated that more than 100 Baloch students were declared 'missing' and had not yet been produced before any court.

Addressing the continued protests, Balochistan caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai claimed that 'missing persons' are part of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and made inflammatory statements suggesting some were being trained in India. He called for a press conference from the interior ministry to confess to killing the allegedly missing individuals. Meanwhile, PPP Senator Raza Rabbani condemned the 'high-handed and ruthless' manner in which the police handled the long march protests and urged the Senate to host a dialogue between the state and stakeholders to resolve these issues 'within the constitutional framework.'