Be calm and peaceful — CM to Chaghi protestors

Taking notice of the firing incident and ongoing protest in Balochistan’s Chaghi district, Chief Minister Mir Quddus Bizenjo has urged the protestors to “remain calm and peaceful”.

Last week, the killing of a driver namely Hameedullah had sparked a violent protest in Chaghi. Eight people were injured in the ensuing unrest when security forces opened fire to disperse the angry mob.

In a statement on Monday, the CM directed the administration to conduct a thorough probe into the incident and submit a report at the earliest.

Sources familiar with the matter said the chief minister ordered the transfer of Chaghi Deputy Commissioner Masroor Baloch and also the assistant commissioner.

According to a notification issued by the Services and General Administration department, Inam ul Haq, a grade-19 officer has been posted as the new Chaghi DC.

"Administration is holding talks with protesters", Saifullah Khetran, the Commissioner Rakhshan Division said, adding that all issues would be resolved through peaceful means.

A shutter-down strike was also observed in Chaghi against the killing of driver Hameedullah. All business centers and shops remained closed as a result of the strike observed on the call of political parties and residents of the area.

Strict security measures were adopted by the administration to maintain law and order situation on the eve of the strike.

The protesters also established a camp in Chaghi to mount pressure on the administration to arrest the accused person involved in the killing of the driver.

On the other hand, PPP MNA Dr Nafisa Shah condemned the Chaghi incident, saying that the news of firing on locals was disturbing.

She expressed her deep concern over the emerging reports out of Balochistan, adding that a peaceful protest is a fundamental and constitutional right of every citizen. “If protesters have violated the law then action should be taken against them according to law.”

She urged relevant institutions including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate notice of the Chaghi incident and probe out actual facts behind the protest and firing.

The PPP leader went on to say that the solution to the problems is not through violence and firing but through dialogue. “The concerns of the protesters should be heard by the government.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2022.