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QUETTA: Workers and supporters of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal on Wednesday staged protest rallies and sit-in in Quetta and other towns and cities of the province against the arrest of Dr Mahrang Baloch and other central leaders of Baloch Yakjehti Committee and the crackdown on their protests.
The BNP leaders and workers gathered in front of press clubs carrying placards and banners inscribed with their demands. They chanted slogans against the provincial government and demanded immediate release of Dr Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen Baloch, Bebow Baloch and other BYC leaders, workers and supporters.
The acting president of BNP-M, Sajid Tareen, Abdul Wali Kakar, Akhtar Hussian Langove, Ghulam Nabi Marri, Sana Baloch, Musa Baloch, Agha Hassan Baloch, Naseer Shahwani, Maqbool Lehri, provincial President of ANP Asghar Achakzai and National Party Democratic provincial president Muhammad Jan addressed the protest sit-in.
They said that Balochistan has been subjected to oppression and coercion from the very beginning and the people are now being denied their right to hold peaceful protest rallies to seek justice and their rights guaranteed by Constitution
Leaders say people are being denied the right to hold peaceful rallies, to seek justice and rights guaranteed by Constitution
The speakers further said people across the province are protesting, but they are not being allowed to express their dissent. Those participating in protests have been arrested in various areas due to crackdowns by security forces and police, they said.
The speakers said that now women are being subjected to violence and they are being dragged through the streets, and thrown into jails and their voices suppressed for raising their voice against the unjust actions of the provincial government and security forces.
A similar protest rally was held in Panjgur which attended by a large number of party workers. The protesters carried BNP-M flags and placards and raised slogans for the immediate release of all BYC leaders.
The rally began at the BNP office and marched through the streets of the bazaar. It culminated in a protest at Bismillah Chowk. Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully.
In Noshki, a rally was taken out from district secretariat and, after passing through various roads of the city, it culminated in a protest gathering in front of the Noshki Press Club.
Speaking to protesters, speakers said that the movement, initiated under the leadership of Sardar Akhtar Mengal is not for political gains but to protect the rights and identity of the Baloch people. They appealed to the masses to actively participate in the long march from Wadh to Quetta on March 28 and raise their voices for the rights of the Baloch people.
A rally, led by BYC Jhalawan region and the Balochistan National Party-M, was held in Surab. The protest procession started from the Surab Cricket Ground and, after passing through various roads of the bazaar, turned into a gathering at Shaheed Balach Chowk.
A large number of children, elderly people and women participated in the rally. At the event, the speakers condemned the arrest of Dr Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen Baloch, Bebow Baloch and other BYC leaders.
The protesters called on the government to immediately release all the BYC leaders.
Rallies and protest demonstrations were also held in Khuzdar, Dera Murad Jamali and Dera Allahyar, in which the leaders demanded the immediate release of Dr Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders.
Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2025
