Syed Ali Shah, From Our Correspondent, News Desk:
GWADAR, QUETTA: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has decided to conclude its protest in Gwadar, as confirmed by Mir Ziaullah Langove, Balochistan’s Home Minister on Friday. This decision follows a seven-point agreement reached between the BYC and the government.
Balochistan Planning and Development Minister, Mir Zahoor Buledi, Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman, the Chief of Haq Do Tahreek in Gwadar who is also a member of the Balochistan Assembly, Hussain Wadela of the HDT played a key role in convincing the BYC supporters to end the protest.
BYC Protests For Nearly A Week
For nearly a week, the BYC had been protesting at Marine Drive in Gwadar and other locations, condemning alleged human rights abuses, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan.
According to previous reports, the protests turned violent, leading to clashes with security forces that resulted in three deaths and at least 24 injuries. BYC leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch stated that a large number of BYC supporters were detained.
No Unlawful Actions Under The Guise Of Protest: Minister
Negotiations between the government and the BYC began on Wednesday, and officials later announced that the talks were “successful.” The BYC agreed to end its sit-in after signing the agreement.
“Talks between the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and the district administration have concluded successfully, and the committee has agreed to end their protests across the province,” stated Balochistan’s Interior Minister Mir Zia Ullah Langov.
“I urge the people to protest peacefully without causing damage, attacking forces, or harming others,” he added, emphasizing that the government would not tolerate unlawful actions under the guise of protest.
The 7-Point Agreement
A copy of the seven-point agreement, available with the media, was signed by Gwadar Deputy Commissioner Hamoodur Rehman and Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the Chief of the BYC.
Key points include the release of all protesters detained in Balochistan and Karachi, with those on judicial remand to be released by August 5 following court proceedings. The Balochistan government will coordinate with Sindh authorities to secure the release of those arrested there, and all cases against the Raji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering) protesters will be withdrawn, except for those involving loss of life during the protests.
All highways will be reopened two hours after the sit-in ends, and mobile networks will be restored. A joint committee of BYC members and district officials will be formed, and confiscated items will be returned within a week.
The agreement also assured that no participant would face harassment or retaliation once the protest concluded.
