Pakistani security forces have detained several young Baloch women amid escalating tensions over a peaceful pamphlet distribution campaign organised for 'Baloch Raji Muchi' (Baloch National Assembly) in Balochistan's Khuzdar district, Balochistan Post reported.
These arrests by Frontier Corps (FC) troops have sparked outrage among activists and rights groups, who have accused the Pakistani government of escalating repression of Baloch dissent.
PressNews24 provides latest news, bollywood news, breaking news hollywood, top tech news, business standard news, indian economy news, world economy news, travel news, mumbai news, latest news mumbai loksabha election 2024, video viral news, delhi news, Only at PressNews24.in
According to the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), the arrests took place on Khand Road in Khuzdar city when the women were distributing pamphlets promoting a Baloch national assembly. Those detained include Saira Baloch, sister of enforced disappearances Asif and Rasheed, and Sadia Baloch, the Balochistan Post reported.
Mehrang Baloch, a prominent Baloch activist, condemned the detention in a scathing post on 'X'. “This act is like adding fuel to the fire. The incompetent rulers and institutions of this state have no idea what they are doing,” he wrote. Mehrang warned that if Saira, Sadia and the other detained women were not released immediately, “the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) will soon announce its next action.”
Local sources have confirmed that the detained women are being taken to an unknown location in FC vehicles. The incident has led to widespread protests in Khuzdar, with reports that the Pakistan Army has opened fire to disperse the protesters.
Human rights organisations and activists have strongly condemned these actions. PAANK, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), condemned the detention in a statement on 'X'. “The Pakistani army has rounded up Saira Baloch and other family members of forcibly disappeared persons and illegally detained several women,” the statement said. “PAANK condemns these actions and demands their immediate release. Such abuses must not be tolerated.”
Adding to the outrage, Baloch Voice for Justice also condemned the state action on social media. The group said, “Saira Baloch, Sadia Baloch and other female comrades have been illegally detained by FC and agencies when they were distributing pamphlets for the Baloch National Assembly. This is state terrorism.”
BYC has appealed to international human rights organisations to urgently intervene and advocate for the immediate release of the detained women. This situation underlines the worrying trend of increasing repression against Baloch activists and peaceful protesters in Balochistan, reports Balochistan Post.