IN recent days, Islamabad has witnessed scenes that are not just deplorable but a blatant violation of the constitutional right to peaceful protest. The Baloch community, long marginalised and voiceless, took to Islamabad’s streets to raise concerns over enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan.

These serious allegations warrant thorough investigation, not brutality. The police action against these protesters, involving tear gas, water cannons, and baton charges, paints a grim picture of how state machinery can be misused against its own people. What is even more concerning are reports of women being bundled into buses and sent back to Quetta, after having been arrested.

This not only undermines the dignity of these individuals but also raises questions about the state’s commitment to protecting its citizens’ rights. The irony deepens with reports that some 50 protesters are themselves missing — the very issue they wanted to draw attention to.

It is particularly disconcerting that such events transpired under a caretaker government led by a prime minister from Balochistan. One would expect greater sensitivity towards the issues plaguing a province where unaddressed socioeconomic woes are driving impressionable young people to join insurgent groups.

Yet the reality is different. The Islamabad High Court’s remarks in this context are noteworthy. Chief Justice Aamer Farooq’s inquiry into why the protesters were being forcibly sent back to their province and his emphasis on their right to stay, protest, or return home underscore the judiciary’s role in safeguarding constitutional liberties.

The issues of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan are not new, but their persistent nature and the authorities’ apathy towards resolving them are alarming. The voices from Balochistan speak of years of neglect and abuse. It is imperative that these voices be heard, and grievances addressed, not silenced.

The government’s response, particularly the assertions about the release of detained protesters, is in stark contrast to the ground realities and how the state deals with protesters who are far less marginalised, such as the stick-wielding students of Lal Masjid.

Also, why is it that although Lal Masjid has again encroached upon state land, it is getting kid-glove treatment by way of mere CDA warnings? Such discrepancies erode public trust in the government and exacerbate the sense of injustice among the Baloch people.

The situation calls for an immediate and unbiased inquiry into the police action against the Baloch protesters. The right to peaceful protest must be protected. It is also essential that Balochistan’s long-standing issues are addressed comprehensively and transparently.

The state must recognise and rectify its role in perpetuating these injustices and work towards building an inclusive, equitable, and just society where every citizen, irrespective of their ethnic background, feels safe and is heard.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2023