Pakistan: Highway connecting Quetta to Karachi blocked demanding release of kidnapped Baloch activist

The main highway (N-25) connecting Quetta to Karachi has been blocked by protesters by Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) near Sona Khan area, demanding safe return of forcibly abducted Zaheer Ahmed Baloch in Quetta.

Photos and videos showing the highway blockade were shared by BYC on social media platforms.

On its official X handle, BYC posted on Saturday, “The main highway connecting Quetta to Karachi (N-25) has been blocked near Sona Khan. During a press conference yesterday, BYC members and the family of Zaheer Baloch announced that they will continue to block the highways until their demands are met by the administration. Their main demand was the safe release of Zaheer Baloch.”

The main highway (N-25) connecting Quetta to Karachi has been blocked near Sona Khan area. In a press conference yesterday, BYC along with Zaheer’s family announced that if their demands are not met by the administration, they will block the highways. Their primary demand is that… pic.twitter.com/9ul8teTepH

— Baloch Yakjehti Committee (@BalochYakjehtiC) July 13, 2024

According to the BYC, Zaheer Ahmad Baloch, a father of two children and the sole breadwinner of his/her family, has been a government employee for 15 years. he/she was allegedly abducted by Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel on June 27 while he/she was returning home from work.

Recently, Pakistan Police brutally attacked a peaceful protest organised by the Baloch community on Saryab Road in Quetta for the safe return of Zaheer Ahmad Baloch. The Pakistan Police’s response to the peaceful protests was widely criticised across the country.

Social media platforms are now flooded with posts and videos from human rights activists and organisations condemning Pakistan’s harsh actions. PAANK, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement, said in a post on X, “In recent days, the Balochistan government and its subordinate security agencies have been under scrutiny for their actions towards peaceful protesters. The authorities have been accused of violating the country’s constitution and laws while trying to justify their failures and resorting to violence against people protesting peacefully. This behaviour has sparked outrage and concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Balochistan.”

Earlier, speaking on behalf of the BYC, Mehrang Baloch announced plans for a Baloch national conference in Gwadar on July 28. In a video statement, he/she highlighted the committee’s strong opposition to the ongoing Baloch genocide perpetrated by Pakistan.

Mehrang outlined various aspects of this alleged genocide affecting the Baloch community, including direct violence, deaths from accidents and neglect-related diseases, and drug-related issues among Baloch youth. The economic difficulties faced by Baloch farmers, labourers and fishermen, including debt accumulation and land acquisition for state projects, were also condemned.

On July 11, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the incident and posted on its official X handle, “HRCP strongly condemns the violent treatment meted out to protesters, including women, in Quetta who were rallying against the alleged enforced disappearance of Zaheer Baloch, a postal worker from Quetta, who was abducted by unidentified persons on June 27.”

“Despite persistent reports of enforced disappearances, especially from Balochistan, the state has not shown any determination to end this heinous practice. Instead, it has always resorted to violence to suppress protests against enforced disappearances, which violates their constitutional right to peaceful assembly,” the HRCP said.