Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the central organizer of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), has urged Pakistani authorities to stop using “force and violence” against peaceful protesters to facilitate meaningful negotiations.
The sit-in protests, now in their ninth day, are taking place across Balochistan in response to what the BYC describes as a “violent crackdown” on participants of the Baloch National Gathering.
Thousands of protesters, including women and children, have gathered in cities such as Gwadar, Quetta, Noshki, Turbat, and Panjgur. In Quetta, demonstrators are staging a sit-in outside the University of Balochistan.
In Noshki, sit-in protesters, joined by leaders from All Parties Noshki, are demanding accountability for recent shootings by the Frontier Corps (FC). They have called for a First Information Report (FIR) against FC personnel involved in the shooting, which reportedly resulted in the death of Hamdan Baloch and injuries to several others during a peaceful rally.
Protests also continue in the Makuran region, with significant gatherings in Gwadar and Turbat. The protest in Turbat, at Shaheed Fida Chowk, has attracted large crowds despite an ongoing internet suspension that has lasted for a week.
In Gwadar, the central sit-in organized by the BYC has reached its ninth day. During a press conference at the sit-in site, BYC leaders criticized the government’s lack of progress in addressing their demands. They accused the state of indifference in negotiations and highlighted ongoing issues such as the continued use of force, an undeclared curfew in Makuran, and other intimidation tactics.
Allegations of Intimidation
The BYC has accused Pakistani authorities of using intimidation tactics against the families of detained protesters. They claim that state agencies are pressuring these families to publicly denounce the Baloch National Gathering, threatening harm to their detained relatives if they refuse.
BYC spokesperson said that state intelligence agencies and ‘death squads’ have begun threatening families in Quetta, coercing them to hold press conferences condemning the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). “Using families as leverage is a grave violation of human rights,” the spokesperson said. “We will remain steadfast in our peaceful struggle and will not be silenced by these actions.”
The Balochistan Post has also received reports that the families of those injured in Mastung are being pressured by secret agencies to file FIRs against ‘unknown individuals.’ Additionally, the family of Hamdan Baloch is reportedly being coerced to hold a press conference blaming the BYC for his death.
Calls for International Attention
In a statement on social media, the BYC alleged ongoing harassment by Pakistani authorities and threats of mass violence if the sit-ins are not ended. The group has called on the United Nations to intervene, citing a curfew in Gwadar and Makuran, internet and mobile network shutdowns, and severe shortages of food and medicine. The BYC warns that the situation could escalate into a humanitarian crisis.
The BYC says that to avoid such a crisis, it has been negotiating with the government through mediators from All Parties in Gwadar. However, they hold the authorities responsible for the lack of progress, noting that while promises were made to cease force during negotiations, violence and detentions have continued.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch emphasized that she and other BYC leaders are in Gwadar and ready for negotiations if their demands are met and violence against protesters is stopped. “We have been peaceful from day one,” she said, “but the state closed highways and the internet and fired directly at peaceful protesters.”
Dr. Baloch further criticized the narrative being constructed by the state and media, which she says wrongfully blames the BYC for the unrest. “A narrative is being presented by the rulers of this country that the Baloch Yakjehti Committee is responsible for the chaos and curfew-like situation.”
“The controlled media is aiding them in constructing this narrative. However, we are peacefully sitting in one corner of Gwadar, demanding that state authorities fulfill our legitimate demands and create an environment for negotiations.”
Meanwhile, Former Senator Nawabzada Haji Lashkari Raisani described the ongoing protests as a referendum against the state’s policies in Balochistan. He criticized the political and economic exploitation of the region and urged political workers to persist in their efforts for justice. “The protests by thousands of people are a referendum against the state system,” he said, highlighting the message sent by Balochistan’s youth and women.
BYC Organizes Vigils
On Sunday, the BYC organized vigils in various areas, including Quetta, Panjgur, Kharan and Noshki, to honor those who lost their lives during the Baloch National Gathering protests. In a post on X, the BYC paid tribute to the fallen, describing them as “brave individuals” who stood against the “ongoing genocide of the Baloch Nation.”
The statement added that the blood of these individuals would serve as a guiding light in the fight for justice for future generations. “Tragically, these beautiful souls became victims of the very genocide they sought to resist. Today, we pay homage to these courageous Baloch sons, whose sacrifices in the peaceful struggle for our nation will never be forgotten. Their blood will be our guiding light in the fight for justice for future generations,” the BYC stated.