Baloch protesters have called for a nationwide shutdown demonstration on January 3, in response to government officials dismissing their long march and sit-in in Islamabad as “propaganda.” The Baloch Yakjehti Committee, organizer of the protest, stated that the state has not shown genuine concern for their demands, including an end to enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings in Balochistan.
The protesters, who have been camped outside the National Press Club for over a week, have given the government seven days to meet their demands, which include the release of detained protesters, investigation into rights violations, and an end to enforced disappearances. Dr. Mahrang Baloch, one of the protest organizers, stated that the protest is in response to the alleged killing of a Baloch youth in custody by the Counter-Terrorism Department.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar criticized the support for the protesters, suggesting that those supporting the demonstration could join the Baloch militants. In response, Dr. Mahrang emphasized that the demands of the movement have been consistently clear and called for negotiations with the government.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing a petition on enforced disappearances and missing persons, with a three-member bench considering various pleas related to the issue. The proceedings are being broadcast live on the apex court website.
The proceedings, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, have addressed the shortcomings of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and the political implications of the case. The case of anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan was also mentioned during the hearing.