BYC To Continue Gwadar Sit-in Despite ISPR Allegations

RAWALPINDI: Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of the Pakistan Army’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has alleged that the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and its leadership are proxies of terrorist organizations and criminal mafias, dismissing them as “nothing more than that.”

He added, “You saw a spectacle in Gwadar over the last few days and it’s been named Raaji Muchi.”

The ISPR statement came a day after the Chief Minister of Balochistan defended the use of force against protesters in the region.

The spokesperson also claimed that “protesters engaged in violence, including stone-pelting and torching vehicles, which led to the martyrdom of a Frontier Corps soldier.”

It should be noted that the BYC had announced a one-day “Baloch Raaji Muchi” (Baloch National Gathering) in Gwadar, Balochistan, on July 28.

However, Pakistani state forces reportedly used violence and arbitrary force to prevent the gathering, which triggered widespread protests across Balochistan.

In Quetta, on the night of July 28, containers were placed around the Red Zone, and the main highway was closed.

Due to the closure of the Luck Pass tunnel by Pakistani forces, protesters moved to the Mastung area, where Pakistani forces opened fire on them. Two protesters were killed, and several others were wounded.

Another protester was reportedly killed in Nushki during the Pakistani forces’ firing on peaceful demonstrators.

It should be noted that the Frontier Corps soldier whom Pakistani authorities claim was “martyred” during the protests reportedly died in a road accident in Balochistan.

The BYC maintains that Pakistani forces and the provincial government are deliberately carrying out violent attacks to pave the way for larger military aggression in Balochistan.

Despite these allegations, the BYC has reiterated that the sit-in in Gwadar will continue until their demands are met.