Balochistan: Police Raid on Book Fair Sparks Strong Condemnation

QUETTA: A police raid on a book fair in Gwadar, Balochistan, has sparked widespread condemnation from the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) and other community groups. The book fair, organised under the name “Balochistan Kitab Karwan,” was part of an ongoing campaign to promote literature and education across the region.

However, on Tuesday, police and security forces raided the event, confiscated books, and detained the event organisers, including several students, who have now been held at the police station for over nine hours.

The BSAC’s spokesperson expressed outrage over the incident, criticising the police for justifying the raid by suggesting that some of the books might be “anti-state.” The spokesperson added that no such materials have been found and no restrictions have been imposed on the literature. “We believe these are merely pretexts to prevent the spread of knowledge and to target Baloch youth who are eager to engage with education,” the spokesperson said.

The students were detained despite having obtained permission from the district administration. When the students attempted to use the permission letter to secure their release, plainclothes individuals re-arrested them, seizing their books once again. The students were then taken to an investigation room, where there are concerns about potential mistreatment under the guise of questioning. “These students have been held unlawfully, and now, without any charges, they are being told they will be presented in court tomorrow,” the spokesperson stated.

The BSAC also condemned the broader pattern of repression against intellectual activities in Balochistan. The spokesperson pointed out that while book fairs are held openly in other parts of Pakistan, including large cities where books are freely sold, the situation in Balochistan is starkly different. “In Balochistan, book fairs are raided by armed personnel, students are harassed, and those promoting education are detained,” the spokesperson said.

In addition to the Gwadar incident, the BSAC reported similar actions taking place in other parts of Balochistan, including Dera Murad Jamali, Osta Mohammad, Jhal Magsi, Jafarabad, Sibi, Barkhan, Taunsa, and Hub Chowki.

In these areas, police and security forces have been accused of harassing book fair organisers and unlawfully shutting down book stalls. According to the BSAC, these actions are part of a larger strategy to prevent Baloch youth from accessing education and knowledge.

The BSAC has called on the district administration and law enforcement to end these repressive actions and release all detained students. “We demand that all Baloch students be released immediately, and any efforts to disrupt book fairs across Balochistan cease. If the students are not released, the BSAC will be forced to take strong, protest-oriented actions,” the spokesperson concluded.