GWADAR/QUETTA: While the government claimed that negotiations with the protesting Baloch Yakjehti Commit­tee (BYC) remained successful, no headway has been reported in ending the prolonged sit-ins in Gwadar, Quetta, and other parts of Balochistan.

The protests by supporters and workers of BYC continued on Tuesday, with no sign from the leadership of BYC regarding calling them off before all their demands are met.

Their demands include the release of all arrested participants of sit-ins, withdrawing of all cases, and registration of FIRs against those involved in the recent shooting in Gwadar and Noshki.

Both sides are accusing each other of not implementing the agreement signed by the government and BYC’s central leadership after negotiation last week.

“The government is not fulfilling its commitment regarding the agreement,” claimed Dr Mahrang Baloch, while Home Minister Ziaullah Langove accused the other side of not honouring their assurance about ending the sit-in despite the release of BYC workers and supporters.

Amid the deadlock, the situation in Gwadar, Quetta, Noshki, Turbat, and Awaran remains tense.

Leaders of various parties, including Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, Hussain Vadela of Haq Do Tehreek, Hussian Ashraf, and others, were also making efforts to resolve the issue and persuade BYC to call off their protest.

The home minister said on Tuesday that as per the agreement, government released all arrested workers and supporters of BYC. He added that the coastal highway had already been opened for all kinds of traffic, and trucks carrying food and other daily use items from Karachi have reached Gwadar and Turbat, where people had been facing shortages due to sit-ins and roadblocks.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2024