ISLAMABAD: On Sunday, Islamabad police announced the approval of bail for all Baloch protesters previously detained during a demonstration urging an end to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
These individuals are now in the process of being released.
This development followed a three-day ultimatum from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, organizers of the Baloch long march in Islamabad, demanding the dismissal of cases against students and activists and the release of all protesters.
The march, initiated in Turbat on December 6 after an alleged “extrajudicial killing” of a Baloch youth by Counter-Terrorism Department officials, had reached the federal capital by Wednesday.
However, the Islamabad police had forcefully dispersed and detained demonstrators, arresting over 200 individuals from various areas of the capital. This action drew strong condemnation from human rights organizations, politicians, the Islamabad High Court, President Dr. Arif Alvi, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, and analysts.
The government’s announcement on Thursday stated that 90% of those detained had been released, with 162 participants granted bail by a judicial magistrate a day earlier. Despite this, conflicting reports emerged, with a protester informing Dawn that only half of the detainees had received bail. The BYC claimed that despite bail being granted, their release was subsequently canceled.
In a statement issued recently, the Islamabad police revealed that the protesters had demanded the release of their detained companions during a meeting with a cabinet committee established by the prime minister. “Adhering to legal protocols, bail for the arrested protesters has been sanctioned. Their release is now underway,” the statement affirmed.
