In the heart of recent events, the Islamabad High Court has sent a clear message to the capital’s police: Baloch protesters are not to be treated as enemies. This directive unfolded during a hearing on a petition that raised concerns about the arrest of Baloch marchers, a group that had trekked on foot from Kech in Balochistan to Islamabad. The protesters were seeking their right to peacefully demonstrate against what they claim are extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of their loved ones.
At the center of the courtroom drama was Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, who didn’t mince words. He wanted to know the reason for harshly treating the protesters and expressed his indignation during the hearing. He questioned the senior superintendent of police (SSP) operations about the directive to handle the protesters in such a manner. Justice Aurangzeb’s concern wasn’t just legal; it was about humanity and fairness.
The courtroom discussion unveiled more layers of the situation. The petitioner’s counsel highlighted that 34 Baloch protesters were still in custody, and a person named Zaheer Baloch, central to the case was missing. The SSP explained that Zaheer was in jail due to unpaid bail money, while the advocate general (AG) Islamabad insisted that no Baloch individual from the protesters was missing.
The court’s response was swift. Justice Aurangzeb ordered an identification parade for the arrested Baloch protesters and requested a report from the Islamabad police on the detention of women protesters. This judicial intervention aimed at bringing clarity to the situation and ensuring a fair assessment of the arrests.
Yet, despite official claims that all protesters had been released, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), the organizers of the march, expressed doubts about the government’s sincerity. The BYC questioned the lack of outreach from the government’s negotiation team, assigned by the prime minister for talks, heightening concerns about the treatment of the protesters.
To understand the roots of this march, we need to rewind a bit. The BYC initiated the long march to Islamabad in protest of the alleged extrajudicial killing of Balach Baloch. The protesters accused the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of wrongly labeling Balach as a terrorist and claimed his killing was a cold-blooded act. On the flip side, the CTD vehemently denied these allegations, attributing Balach’s death to an armed clash between “miscreants” and security forces in the Pasni road area of Turbat.
As the BYC continued its sit-in outside the National Press Club in Islamabad, the situation garnered attention from various quarters. A delegation from the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) visited the protesters’ camp, promising to advocate for the recovery of missing Baloch individuals through the superior judiciary. The SCBA President, Shahzad Shaukat, assured the protesters that they would persuade the superior judiciary to play its role in resolving the issue.
During the meeting, the relatives of the missing persons appealed to the Supreme Court and Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, for justice. The protesters shared their hardships with the delegation, urging them to convey their message to Chief Justice Isa. Hassan Raza Pasha, the PBC executive committee chairman, assured the protesters that his body, along with the SCBA, would provide a panel of lawyers for the release of the arrested Baloch marchers.
In a related development, the caretaker Balochistan Chief Minister, Ali Mardan Domki, announced the formation of an investigation committee to probe the Balach incident in Turbat. He expressed commitment to addressing the genuine grievances of the participants of the Islamabad sit-in within the constitutional framework. The interim federal government also formed an inquiry body to investigate the Balach incident.
Domki emphasized the interim provincial government’s commitment to resolving issues through political means and urged an end to protests. He called for meaningful negotiations, stating that the doors were always open for dialogue. The caretaker CM’s approach aimed at finding a middle ground, steering away from confrontations and towards a peaceful resolution.
As the legal bodies pledged support for the protesters’ rights and the government initiated inquiries into the Balach incident, a complex web of narratives and interests emerged. The Baloch march became a focal point not only for the immediate concerns of the protesters but also for broader issues related to justice, human rights, and the relationship between the state and its citizens.
In conclusion, the Islamabad High Court’s intervention in urging a humane approach towards Baloch protesters reflects the delicate balance between security concerns and the right to peaceful dissent. The complexities surrounding the allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and the handling of protesters demand a thorough and impartial investigation.
The judiciary’s role in ensuring fairness, the legal bodies’ commitment to advocacy, and the government’s initiation of inquiries signal a multifaceted approach to addressing the challenges at hand. As the BYC continues its sit-in, and the legal and political processes unfold, the nation watches, hoping for a resolution that upholds justice, human rights, and the principles of a democratic society.
