Dozens of protesters in Pakistan were subject to violent police action when law enforcement officials used tear gas, water cannons, and baton-charged activists in Islamabad. The rally had been organised to draw attention to the forced disappearances of people in Baluchistan, and the extrajudicial killings by state authorities, particularly in the Baloch province of Pakistan. An overnight crackdown by police led to the arrest of around 200 protesters, many of whom were families with children, who had traveled nearly 1,600 kilometers to reach the capital.

They were planning to raise awareness about the death of 24-year-old Balaach Mola Bakhsh, who died in police custody in Balochistan in November. The use of excessive force by law enforcement was widely condemned by human rights organisations and activists across the country. Video footage has surfaced on social media showing police dragging women, swinging batons, and using water cannons on demonstrators, including the elderly and children. The crackdown intensified tensions as men and women were separated from one another at police stations in Islamabad.

Protest organiser and activist Mahrang Baloch, who had drawn attention to the rally and been active on social media leading up to the event, was also arrested. Several politicians, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party and former human rights minister Shireen Mazari, have condemned the violent police action and called for an impartial investigation into the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Balochistan.

Many continue to demand the immediate release of the detainees, a public apology from the government, and an international response to take notice of the plight of Baloch activists and families of the missing persons. The violent crackdown has sparked significant outrage among human rights organizations, demanding that the state uphold the constitutional right of citizens to peacefully protest and raise their voices for justice.