Tensions intensified in the port city of Gwadar after the Pakistani army refused to release the senior leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) who were previously detained during the Baloch Raaji Muchi protests.

In response to growing opposition from the demonstrators, one of the imprisoned leaders, Sabiha Baloch, was freed late on Tuesday night, according to the BYC's most recent statement on X. Two other Baloch activists, Sammi Deen Baloch and Sabgath Ullah Baloch, are still missing.

BYC in a statement on Platform X said, ‘’Gwadar: Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr. Sabiha Baloch has been released today following public pressure and resistance. However, we still have no information about Sammi Deen Baloch and Sabgath Ullah Baloch. They have been out of contact since yesterday morning. Additionally, more than 200 participants have been arrested from the Gwadar sit-in and we have no information about them either".

The BYC had called on all state institutions to unconditionally release the peaceful protestors who had been detained during the Baloch Raaji Muchi demonstrations in another statement. The statement on X states, "Finally, we make it clear to the state and all its institutions to immediately release all the arrested colleagues including our leadership without any ifs and buts, restore internet and mobile network throughout Makran including Gwadar and in all areas of Balochistan. Completely remove obstacles in front of all our convoys stopped at gunpoint by force".

The statement went on to say, "If the state and its institutions still do not change their terrorist and oppressive behaviour, then from today we will shut down the entire Balochistan including Quetta for an indefinite period and if any untoward incident occurs during this period, then all the responsibility will be on the state and it will be imposed on its institutions. Through this press conference, we inform BYC workers and Baloch people across Balochistan that peaceful and orderly dharna, protest rallies and wheel jam and shutterdown strikes should be held across Balochistan".

Prominent Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir had earlier expressed his concerns about a similar situation in Balochistan while cautioning that arresting protestors and Baloch leaders would not be beneficial.

The journalist wrote on X, "Sammi and Sabiha have always raised their voice against enforced disappearances. Now they are missing. Police is saying they are with FC and FC is not admitting their arrest. Disappearance of their fathers never produced any positive result and disappearance of these women will further harm the state".

The detention of peaceful protestors by Pakistani troops was brought to the attention of the UN and human rights organisations earlier in the day, according to the Baloch Yakjehti Committee.

Image source: Bloomberg