QUETTA: Balochistan caretaker Minister for Information, Jan Achakzai, while expressing his serious concern over the ongoing sit-in in Islamabad, said the long marchers protesting could pose a threat to peace and stability at any moment.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, he said that they are ruining the state’s reputation under the guise of advocating for missing persons.

He claimed that those who were being declared by Baloch Yakjehti Committee as “missing persons” were, in fact, “terrorists” and killed in Pakistan’s recent strike inside Iran.

He said that the hostile intelligence agencies could target the protesters’ camp to blame Pakistan.

Mr Achakzai said that conspiracies against Pakistan have been exposed, and thanks to the wisdom of the civil and military leadership, the country’s stature and status have increased.

He urged the judiciary and administration in Islamabad not to grant further concessions to those protesting in the name of missing persons, as they are spreading toxic propaganda against the country.

Regarding Iranian aggression, he stated, “Our stance is clear that open hostility from Iran led to the martyrdom of innocent people. Jaish al-Adl has no presence in Pakistan, and we will not allow our soil to be used against anyone.”

Mr Achakzai also raised concerns about individuals wearing masks in the Islamabad camp, suggesting that they could be terrorists associated with banned organisations.

He emphasised that action could be taken in Islamabad at any time, and administrative measures could be implemented to handle the camp, highlighting that it is not solely a legal matter.

Journalist booked

Police have registered an FIR against the Wadh correspondent of local Urdu daily newspaper Daily Azadi, Masood Ahmed Lehri, for coverage of the rally held in support of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee in Wadh.

The local journalists covered the rally held on January 25, in solidarity with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s sit-in at Islamabad. He is the second journalist against whom an FIR was registered.

Earlier, a case was registered against Nadeem Garganari, a senior journalist and former president of Khuzdar Press Club.

Balochistan Union of Journalists President Irfan Seed and General Secretary Manzoor Ahmed have strongly condemned the registeration of an FIR against the local correspondent of an Urdu daily for covering the protest rally.

They termed the police action against the freedom of press and harassing the media persons. They demanded immediate withdrawal of the FIR against Masood Ahmed.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2024