Baloch Long March
DateDecember 2023
Location
From Kech district, Balochistan to Islamabad, Pakistan
Caused byProtest against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan
MethodsPeaceful protest, long march, sit-in
Parties
Baloch women and activists
Pakistani authorities
Lead figures

Mahrang Baloch and other Baloch women and activists

Islamabad Inspector General (IG) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan

The march was marked by resistance from authorities, with many protesters being detained. The issue was later taken up by the Islamabad High Court.

The Baloch Long March is an ongoing protest movement led by Mahrang Baloch and other Baloch women, who are marching towards Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, to protest human rights violations and enforced disappearances in Balochistan. The march was a response to the growing number of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the region.[1][2]

Background

The march was spurred by the death of Balaach Mola Bakhsh in November 2023.[3] Bakhsh was arrested on November 20, with explosives in his possession according to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).[3] He appeared in court on November 21, but was killed on November 23 in what the CTD said was a confrontation between police and a militant group.[3] Bakhsh's family rejected the CTD's report, saying that Bakhsh was abducted from his home on October 29, and was killed on November 23 by the CTD.[3] Local protests began, in an effort to make police file a report against the CTD personnel accused of Bakhsh's death.[3]

The March

The march began in Balochistan on December 6, 2023.[4] The movement involved hundreds of women who had lost their husbands, brothers, and sons and decided to voice their concerns publicly. The demonstrators had explicit requests: they demanded a halt to forced disappearances and unlawful killings, and they sought accountability for those implicated in the unlawful killings of Baloch youth.[1]

They covered a distance of 1,600 kilometers, starting from the southern Kech district near the Iranian border, all the way to Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. They stopped along the way in places like Kalat,[5] Dera Ghazi Khan,[6] and Dera Ismail Khan,[7] where they received support from Baloch residents.[3]

When the march reached Islamabad, authorities prevented the marchers from entering the capital, specifically the National Press Club.[4]

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Senator Mushtaq Ahmed visited the protest camp in Islamabad to show support for the Baloch demonstrators.[8]

Response from authorities

The march saw resistance from authorities on its route to Islamabad.[5] Two participants were severely injured by police at a checkpoint in Soorab.[5] Obstacles were also put on roads by police in an attempt to stop the marchers.[5][3]

Islamabad

The response from the authorities in Islamabad was marked by resistance and force.[4] Police were dispatched to block China Chowk Underpass, Chongi No. 26, the Islamabad Chowk, Jinnah Avenue, Nazimuddin Road, and Srinagar Highway.[4] The general public was also restricted from using these routes.[4]

Despite the negotiations, the police refused to accept the demands of the protesters, resulting in a sit-in near Islamabad Chowk.[4] Police also offered protesters the use of F-9 Park, but this was turned down, with the marchers saying they, not the police, would decide where the protest was staged.[4] More than 200 protesters were subsequently arrested,[9] while others were forcibly dispersed by police water cannons and tear gas.[7][10]

The arrested protesters were briefly detained, before authorities began sending them back to Quetta on buses.[10] Video of authorities forcibly putting some of the protesters on buses drew criticism on social media.[10] The Islamabad High Court (IHC) later inquired why Baloch protesters in the federal capital were being "forcibly" sent back to their provinces.[11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Women Are Leading an Unprecedented Protest Movement in Balochistan". thediplomat.com.
  2. ↑ "As Baloch Women Raise Their Voices, the State Cracks Down". thediplomat.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Zaman, Sarah (2023-12-20). "Baloch Activists March to Pakistani Capital to Demand End to Extrajudicial Killings". Voice of America. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Azeem, Munawer; Rehman, Atika (2023-12-21). "Police bar Baloch protesters from entering capital". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Stop Baloch Genocide Long March reaches Kalat". Balochwarna/>. 2023-12-10. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  6. ↑ "Pakistan: Thousands Join Baloch March Against Genocide As It Organises Sit-In At Dera Gazi Khan". Zee News. 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  7. 1 2 "Baloch long march stopped at Islamabad, Pakistan police use water cannon, force to evacuate protestors-several detained". Times of Oman. 2023-12-21. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  8. ↑ "Detained Baloch protesters being released after bail approval: Islamabad police". The Express Tribune.
  9. ↑ Ahmad, Israr (2023-12-22). "Police arrest more than 200 protestors from Baloch nationals long march: IGP Islamabad". The Nation. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  10. 1 2 3 Asghar, Naeem (2023-12-21). "Baloch marchers refuse to return after capital crackdown". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  11. ↑ Burney, Umer (December 22, 2023). "Why are Baloch protesters being forcefully sent back, IHC asks police chief". DAWN.COM.
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