Baloch leader demands abolishment of Counter Terrorism Department in Balochistan

Addressing the media here, the Baloch leader was quoted as saying by The News International that a commission on human rights violations in Balochistan should be formed and the Ministry of Interior must apologise for the ‘crimes’ openly.

Mahrang Baloch said the protest was for the rights of the people of Balochistan.

“We came to Islamabad in a long march with women. We have come from Turbat to raise our voice against enforced disappearances. We demand serious steps against enforced disappearances and killing of Baloch people,” she was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

She said the Punjab Police had cracked down on the protesters in Dera Ghazi Khan, arrested them and tortured them.

Pakistan's caretaker government on Monday said 290 Baloch protesters, who were arrested during a demonstration in Islamabad against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, have been released from prison and police custody, media reports said.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the interior ministry said the decision was taken in light of the negotiations held between the Baloch demonstrators and a cabinet committee, reported Dawn News.

The march, which commenced from Turbat city over the alleged extrajudicial killing of a Baloch youth by Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel, reached the federal capital last week.

The Islamabad Police allegedly used force to take a large section of people in custody.

In light of the crackdown, the march led by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) had converted into a sit-in outside the National Press Club, reported Dawn News.

The BYC on Saturday gave a three-day ultimatum to quash the cases registered against students and activists and release all of the protesters.

In its statement issued today, the interior ministry confirmed the release of 290 detained protesters, the Pakistani newspaper reported.

“Peaceful protests are the right of every citizen but no one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” it said.

BYC posted on X: "After a long struggle, 160+ Baloch protesters are released now. The statement of @ICT_Police is based on false and illogical. Still, 100+ are in police custody and some of them are missing, @ICT_Police not providing the correct information to us and the media, and Dr Zaheer Baloch is missing we are concerned about his life."