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.
I stand with my Baloch sisters who are demanding accountability against enforced disappearances. It is their right to protest peacefully and their voices must be heard. https://t.co/lvgkhQGVbf
— Malala Yousafzai (@Malala) December 22, 2023
Deeply worried by reports of mishandling at #BalochLongMarch2Islamabad. Freedoms of expression, assembly and association guaranteed in arts 19, 21 & 22, resp, of the Int Covenant on Civ & and Pol Rights (ICCPR), a core measure of #GSP+ implementation. 🇵🇰 is party to the ICCPR. pic.twitter.com/CnpF7LF9Kp
— Riina Kionka (@RKionka) December 22, 2023
🇵🇰 Pakistan: @Amnesty strongly condemns the arrest and detention of at least 20 participants of the Baloch march on 17 December in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab.
The protestors, many of them women and families of the forcibly disappeared, peacefully held a sit-in and, subsequently,…
— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) December 18, 2023
In protest, returning my Sitara e Imtiaz, given to me by a state that continues to abduct and torture Baloch citizens. Journalists of my generation have seen @SammiBaluch and @MahrangBaloch_ grow up in protest camps. Ashamed to witness a new generation being denied basic dignity. https://t.co/yrw4STuzKk
— Mohammed Hanif (@mohammedhanif) December 23, 2023
Norway is worried over yesterday’s reported handling of demonstration in Islamabad by protesters expressing their concerns over alleged HR-violations in Balochistan. Important to respect freedom of expression and right to peaceful protest.
— Norway in Pakistan (@NorwayinPak) December 22, 2023
![](https://cdn77.pressenza.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG-20231224-WA0016-820x615.jpg)
![](https://cdn77.pressenza.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG-20231224-WA0012-820x615.jpg)
![](https://cdn77.pressenza.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG-20231224-WA0011-820x615.jpg)
![](https://cdn77.pressenza.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG-20231224-WA0010-820x369.jpg)
![](https://cdn77.pressenza.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG-20231224-WA0009.jpg)
![](https://cdn77.pressenza.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG-20231224-WA0008.jpg)
![](https://cdn77.pressenza.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG-20231224-WA0007-820x419.jpg)