BYC agrees to end Gwadar protest

Protesters detained in Balochistan and Karachi to be released

QUETTA:

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has agreed to end its protest in Gwadar, as confirmed by Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove, on Friday. The decision was reached after the BYC and the government came to a seven-point agreement.

Key figures including Balochistan Planning and Development Minister Mir Zahoor Buledi, Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, the leader of the 'Haq Do Tahreek' in Gwadar and a member of the Balochistan Assembly, and Hussain Wadela of the HDT played significant roles in persuading the BYC supporters to call off the protest.

The BYC had been staging demonstrations at Marine Drive in Gwadar and other areas for nearly a week, protesting against alleged human rights violations, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan.

Previous reports indicated that the protests had escalated into violence, resulting in clashes with security forces that left three protesters dead and at least 24 injured. Dr Mahrang Baloch, a BYC leader, claimed that a large number of supporters were detained.

Negotiations between the government and the BYC commenced on Wednesday, and officials later declared the talks "successful". The BYC agreed to end its sit-in after signing the agreement.

"Discussions between the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and the district administration have concluded successfully, and the committee has consented to end its protests across the province," stated Balochistan's Interior Minister Mir Zia Ullah Langove.

"I appeal to the public to protest peacefully without causing damage, attacking forces, or harming others," he added, stressing that the government would not allow unlawful actions under the pretext of protest.

 

The seven-point agreement

The seven-point agreement, a copy of which was shared with the media, was signed by Gwadar Deputy Commissioner Hamoodur Rehman and Dr Mahrang Baloch, the Chief of the BYC.

The main points of the agreement include the release of all protesters detained in Balochistan and Karachi, with those on judicial remand to be released by August 5 following court proceedings. The Balochistan government will work with Sindh authorities to ensure the release of those arrested there. All cases against the Raji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering) protesters will be dropped, except those involving loss of life during the protests.

All highways will be reopened two hours after the sit-in concludes, and mobile networks will be restored. A joint committee comprising BYC members and district officials will be established, and confiscated items will be returned within a week.

The agreement also guarantees that no participant will face harassment or retaliation once the protest ends.

This is in stark contrast to the events of Wednesday when First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against members of the Baloch Solidarity Committee and participants of shutter-down strikes and rallies in several cities, including Barkhan and Othal.

The police took this action following widespread protests and sit-ins organised by the committee across Balochistan, demanding an end to what it claimed were human rights violations.

In response, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove condemned the violent nature of some protests at the time and stated that the government would take action against those inciting aggression. He questioned the BYC and other human rights groups' silence over terrorist incidents in the region.

The protests continued for six consecutive days in Gwadar and other areas, without any major incidents.

Security has been tightened across the province to maintain order.

According to reports, the Othal police registered an FIR against committee leaders and workers following a campaign involving pamphleteering and wall chalking to halt political activities related to the Baloch Raji Machi.

The Baloch Solidarity Committee reported that Qazi Sirajul Haq, a leader from Othal, had been arrested, with no information provided regarding his status. The detention of one of their leaders raised serious concerns among the protesters.

The protests, held on the call of the Baloch Youth Council (BYC), led to complete strikes in various cities. The Baloch Solidarity Committee asserted that peaceful rallies were a fundamental right and criticised the authorities for raiding homes to make arrests. They vowed to continue their demonstrations until the FIRs were withdrawn and the detentions ceased. It seems their persistence has paid off.

The Balochistan government had long reiterated its intention to find peaceful solution to issues relating to Balochistan. Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said protesting was the constitutional right of every citizen. However, no one would be allowed to the take law into their hands.

"We will not allow anyone to advance the nefarious agenda of the enemies of Pakistan," Bugti warned.

In Quetta, the provincial capital, the administration has taken strict security measures to maintain law and order. The main red zone that houses the Governor's House and Chief Minister's Secretariat has been sealed to avoid any protest. The Quetta Deputy Commissioner has also issued a notification and declared the main hockey ground as a place for public meetings and protests. "No one will be allowed to harm traffic and routine life", the DC asserted in a statement.