What is happening in Pakistan? Thousands of Balochs gather in Gwadar after security forces fire at protesters

Pakistan’s Gwadar area is in turmoil as Baloch people took to the streets to protest against the Pakistani forces. As per reports, the Pakistani forces crackdown on the sit-in protest by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee in front of the University of Balochistan, and abducted 12 women and more than 50 men from the gathering, on July 28 (Sunday).

Experts are observing this event as one of the most heightened crackdowns on dissentin Balochistan by Pakistan.

In a post on X, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) stated, “Security forces attacked the sit-in protest in front of the University of Balochistan and abducted twelve female and more than fifty male protesters.”

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“Human rights violations in Balochistan are at their peak. State institutions are brutally suppressing peaceful voices, recording yet another history of atrocities against the Baloch people. The sit-in protest was held against the state’s brutal crackdown on the Baloch Raaji Muchi,” the post added.

On the other hand, a BYC leader and an emerging Baloch voice, Mahrang Baloch addressed the Baloch Raaji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering) at Marine Drive in Gwadar, on Monday (Jul 29). Mahrang said that the Baloch are tired of the oppression by the State.

“Enough is enough. The Baloch are tired of your oppression and are standing firm against this genocide and the exploitation of their resources and seas.” She further warned the state that their time was now over.

Earlier, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and the Balochistan police declared their intent to use strong measures to disrupt the “Balcoh Raaji Muchi” movement. This resulted in several detentions, road blockages, and disruptions to convoys heading to the event, as per The Balochistan Post.

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BYC also said, “Yesterday, Pakistani forces opened fire on the peaceful caravan of Baloch Raaji Muchi Karachi in Kund Malir. The security forces forcibly turned the caravan back. In response, the caravan has begun a sit-in at Zero Point and Zero Point will be blocked until they are allowed to join Baloch Raaji Muchi in Gwadar.”

The movement, termed Baloch Raaji Muchi, witnessed a substantial turnout, joining convoys bound for Gwadar, despite attempts to disrupt the event by the Pakistani Armed Forces.

Earlier, at least three people died and several were injured after participants of the Baloch Protest march clashed with security personnel in different areas of the province, on Sunday, reported Dawn News.

(With inputs from agencies)