QUETTA: Negotiations between the government team and leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) failed late on Saturday night, prompting Dr Mahrang Baloch to declare that the protest will continue until the recovery of Zaheer Baloch and others.

“We are ready for meaningful negotiations if the government desires,” Dr Baloch stated late Saturday night. “However, our protest will continue.”

The sit-in by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and the family of Zaheer Ahmad continued for the third consecutive day outside the Quetta’s Red Zone, severely disrupting the city’s traffic.

Two police vehicles were set ablaze by an unruly mob near the station and Chaman railway crossings. According to police reports, masked individuals used petrol bombs and ransacked tea stalls in the station area. A private hospital at Imdad Chawk was also attacked.

In a video statement, BYC leader Dr Mahrang Baloch dissociated the BYC from the violence, urging supporters to counter such actions.

The protest continues at GPO Chowk and Hockey Chowk, with participants adamant about continuing the sit-in until their demands are met.

Provincial minister Zia Langove, in a press conference, said the state did not have Zaheer Baloch, suggesting he may be with his brother Basher Zeb, a BLA commander.

Police have registered a case against 16 individuals, including Dr Mahrang Baloch, for damaging public property and inciting violence in the Red Zone.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2024