260 leaders, workers freed in Balochistan after govt-opposition deal
• Authorities to withdraw cases filed against activists across Balochistan
• Opposition parties to coordinate rallies with district administrations under SOPs
QUETTA: All political leaders and workers arrested during the wheel-jam and shutter-down strike — following clashes with police and road blockades — were released on Tuesday after successful negotiations between the provincial authorities and opposition party leaders.
Both sides reached an agreement under which the government agreed to release all detained workers and supporters of opposition parties and withdraw cases registered against them under various sections across Balochistan.
Police had on Monday arrested around 260 people from Quetta and other towns and cities of the province for violating Section 144, blocking highways, pelting police with stones, and attacking public and private property.
They were protesting a recent suicide bombing at a BNP-M rally in Quetta, which claimed over a dozen lives.
The negotiations were held at the commissioner’s office, where the government side was represented by Balochistan’s Senior Minister Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, and Zamarak Khan Achakzai.
Quetta Division Commissioner Shahzeb Khan Kakar and Deputy Commis-sioner retired Captain Mehrullah Badini also participated in the talks.
The opposition delegation was led by Advocate Sajid Khan Tareen, Akhtar Hussain Langove and Agha Hassan Baloch of the Balochistan National Party; Talimand Khan, Majeed Khan Achakzai and Kabir Khan Afghan of the PkMAP; Aslam Baloch and Changeez Hayee Baloch of the National Party; Asghar Khan Achakzai and Rasheed Nasar of the ANP; Advocate Salam Agha and Malik Faisal Dehwar of the PTI; Zahid Akhtar Baloch and Jameel Ahmed Mashwani of the Jamaat-i-Islami; and Maulana Wilayat Hussain of the MWM.
The government and opposition delegations discussed the prevailing situation in the province and Monday’s incidents, ultimately reaching a consensus to sign an agreement. As a goodwill gesture, the government delegation announced the release of all political activists and the withdrawal of cases registered in various districts of Balochistan, on the directives of Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti.
It was agreed that opposition parties would coordinate with district administrations to organise rallies and public gatherings in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Opposition leaders assured that all demonstrations would remain peaceful, laws would be fully respected and public property protected. They further pledged that no violent incidents or destructive actions would take place during protests.
Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2025
