Balochistan: Quetta Sit-In Suspended for 15 Days

QUETTA: The family of abducted Zaheer Ahmad Baloch has suspended its protest after an FIR was registered against ‘unknown’ CTD officials.

On Sunday night, the protesters and government delegation reached an agreement to set up a joint committee that will report on the disappearance of Zaheer Ahmad within 15 days.

The government also agreed to release 15 out of 21 protesters arrested during the July 11 police attack on demonstrators.

Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, confirmed the release of 11 protesters and stated that the remaining six activists would be released after the courts opened on Monday.

She also mentioned that all charges against activists arrested on July 11 would be dropped.

Dr. Baloch added that a joint committee comprising government representatives and the family of Zaheer Ahmad Baloch would investigate his disappearance for 15 days. If they fail to locate Zaheer within the given timeframe, the family will resume their protest.

However, according to the agreement released to the media, only peaceful protesters will be released, while ‘violent protesters’ will be brought to justice.

The agreement also stipulates that the family of Zaheer Baloch and the BYC will end their protest immediately and disperse peacefully.

There will be no protests before the completion of the 15 days and during Muharram. Future demonstrations will be conducted in consultation with the administration, after which the place and date of the demonstrations will be decided.

Zaheer Ahmad Baloch was abducted on June 27 after failing to return home from his office. Since then, his family has been protesting for his safe release.

On July 11, the family decided to protest in Quetta’s Red Zone, where Pakistani police attacked them, injuring several protesters and arresting at least 21.

The following day, police registered FIRs against the arrested protesters and their leaders, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch.

Ziaullah Langou, the Home Minister of Balochistan, defended the police action against peaceful protesters during a press conference. He also confirmed that Zaheer Ahmad was not in their custody after consulting all relevant departments and agencies.

Whether the joint committee will succeed in locating Zaheer Ahmad remains to be seen.

If he is found to be in the custody of Pakistani forces, it will demonstrate that the Home Minister has no authority or control over the unruly CTD, which acts extra-judicially and operates outside the constitution of the state.