Balach Mola Bakhsh

On 29 October, Balach Baloch, son of Mola Bakhsh, was forcibly abducted by the Pakistani notorious police Counter Terrorism Department. On 23 November, the Counter Terrorism Department killed four innocent Baloch, including Balach Mola Bakhsh, in a fake encounter. Balach’s family, denying false allegations, attempted to file a First Information Report (FIR) at the police station but was refused. The family then took Balach’s deceased body and initiated a protest in Turbat. The Baloch Yakjahti Committee led a march from Turbat to Islamabad against the fake encounter of Balach Mola Bakhsh, forced abductions, fake encounters, and the Baloch genocide.

The Baloch Long March faced challenges from Mustang, Khuzdar, Quetta, Kohlu, Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsa Sharif, and Islamabad. When heading from Quetta to Islamabad, obstacles arose in Dera Ghazi Khan, where the Punjab police blocked the road and filed an FIR against the march. Some people, including students welcoming the march, were abducted. Demonstrations in response led to permission being granted to proceed to Islamabad.

Upon arrival in Islamabad, the police prevented the march from reaching the Islamabad Press Club. Despite peaceful protests, the police ambushed the demonstrators, arresting over 200, including women, men, children, young, and old. Tear gas and water cannons were used against peaceful protestors, and attempts were made to deport them to Balochistan, which the protestors resisted. The police detained protesters, including the leader of Baloch Yakjahti committee March, Dr. Mahrang  Baloch.

Amnesty International South Asia condemned the crackdown, calling for the immediate release of protestors. European Ambassador to Pakistan Rina Kionka, the Norwegian Embassy in Pakistan, and notable figures like Malala Yousufzai, Greta Thunberg, and Mohammad Hanif also condemned the Islamabad police crackdown on Baloch yakjahti committee long march. Baloch Yakjahti demands the release of all missing Baloch persons, an end to fake encounters, and the prohibition of the Counter Terrorism Department.