Quetta [Pakistan]: The Pakistani government has attempted to disrupt a protest camp organized by families of political prisoners outside the Quetta Press Club, highlighting a concerning level of authoritarianism.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) reported that earlier today, the families of individuals such as Mahrang Baloch, Sabghatullah Shah Jee, Bebagar Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, and Beebow Baloch—who are being held unlawfully—gathered to peacefully protest against the ongoing state oppression. However, law enforcement swiftly intervened, seizing tents and other protest materials while harassing participants.
In a post on X, the BYC stated, “The Pakistani police have tried to dismantle a peaceful protest camp set up by the families of political prisoners outside the Quetta Press Club—a symbolic location for free expression. This action represents a blatant and deeply troubling example of authoritarianism.”
This incident serves as yet another unsettling illustration of the escalating repression by the Pakistani state in Balochistan, where even the basic right to peaceful assembly is being systematically denied. The BYC emphasized that the camp aims to raise awareness about enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions, demanding the immediate release of all political prisoners. By obstructing this constitutionally protected form of protest, the state is not only violating fundamental rights but also reinforcing its oppressive stance.
The BYC has called on authorities to take notice, urging human rights organizations, civil society groups, and advocates of free expression to denounce these undemocratic actions by the Pakistani government.
The Baloch community has long suffered from severe human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and systemic discrimination. Security forces are frequently accused of targeting activists, students, and ordinary civilians, often detaining them without legal due process.
Such actions leave families in a state of perpetual distress, uncertain about the whereabouts of their loved ones. Fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, political participation, and access to education are routinely suppressed. Military operations across Balochistan have led to widespread displacement and instilled profound fear among the population.
Despite ongoing appeals from human rights organizations, the plight of the Baloch people continues to be largely ignored, exacerbating frustration, resentment, and a rising demand for justice and greater autonomy.