Islamabad police chief ordered to hand over Baloch women to protest organisers

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Hamid Mir says police snatched his mobile and misbehaved with him when he reached Women Police Station​

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By Awais Yousafzai
December 22, 2023
Reprehending Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan over the recent paramilitary personnel's action against protesting Baloch women and men in the federal capital, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamir Farooq Friday ordered the top cop to hand over the women detainees to the organisers of the long march.

On Wednesday night, the Islamabad police used “excessive force” and rounded up all the Baloch women who converged outside the National Press Club in the federal capital to stage a protest demonstration against “enforced disappearances”.

The long march led by Baloch women had started their journey from Balochistan on December 6.

The police action against the Baloch women and men triggered widespread condemnations from human rights bodies and political parties. Even the federal ministers admitted that the “protestors who reached Islamabad from Balochistan were not involved in the violence”.

They, however, were of the view that the force was used to avoid a "catastrophe" in the federal capital.

Hearing a petition filed by long march organisers Sami Baloch and Abdul Salam a day earlier, the IHC ruled: "Let them protest who have come to protest, it's their constitutional right."

The court sought a detailed report regarding the number of Baloch protestors arrested during the police action and adjourned the hearing by today.

At the outset of today’s hearing, the Islamabad IG apprised the court that 52 Baloch women were arrested and would be produced before the local court today.

Meanwhile, senior journalist Hamid Mir apprised the court that the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police barred him from performing his professional duty when he reached the women's police station where Baloch women were being brought by “dragging”.

“Yesterday, the court was informed that all the women have been released. Three interim ministers, while addressing a joint presser conference reiterated that all the women were freed but I came to know that none of them were released. Hence, I reached the police station for coverage, where Baloch women were being brought by dragging.”

He further said that the police officials snatched his mobile phone and misbehaved with him.

Meanwhile, the IG apologised to the senior journalist over the police’s behaviour.

At this, the IHC, while addressing the IG remarked: “Street crimes have increased. You don't do what you are supposed to do.”

The chief justice said he would issue a detailed verdict in this regard and adjourned the hearing. The IHC two-member bench will resume hearing on the case next week.

First Published: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1...-hand-over-baloch-women-to-protest-organisers

 

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IHC CJ says Baloch protesters have constitutional right to demonstrate as Pakistani citizens​

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the capital city police to "let the Baloch demonstrators" protest as it is their constitutional right as Pakistanis, and warned against any obstruction in the way of marchers.

"Let them protest who have come to protest, its their constitutional right," IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq remarked during the hearing of a plea against the arrest of Baloch protesters in the federal capital — earlier in the day.

The long march participants were detained by authorities during a demonstration in Islamabad against the enforced disappearances of Baloch missing persons. The march began in Turbat and was heading towards the Islamabad Press Club when the police intercepted them late Wednesday night.

An advance party of Baloch Yakjehti Council (BYC) Wednesday reached Islamabad through the Motorway, but the police intercepted it at Chungi No. 26 and barricaded all the main and artery roads, including Kashmir Avenue, leading to the Red Zone.

“Two groups of BYC arrived unscheduled Wednesday evening but the authorities deployed police to block the mob as their motorcade reach Chungi No. 26,” police sources said, adding that one group comprising about 50 protesters had joined the BYC protesters already sitting in front of the National Press Club, however, the remaining protesters who reached by busses were cut off at Chungi No. 26.

Police sources said the law enforcement agencies were trying to clear the blocked roads by forcing the protesters away from the main road.

Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari represented the protesters in the plea filed by long march organisers Sami Baloch and Abdul Salam.
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During the hearing, Islamabad Inspector General (IG) Akbar Nasir Khan appeared before the court upon being summoned by the CJ earlier in the day.

He informed the court that the protestors had clubs and also pelted stones which resulted in injuries to some people.

He also apprised the CJ that the government has also formed a committee to address the grievances of the protesters.

At this, CJ Farooq said that the court doesn't have the matter of the committee in front of it. Instead, he asked about the status of 86 marchers, named in the petition, who were arrested during the protest.

Responding to the question, the cop informed the court that there was no detail available of the listed individuals.

The IG further stated that all the people nominated in the FIR registered at the Tarnol Police Station have been released, while those arrested in the FIR registered at Kohsar Police Station have been presented before the magistrate.

"Some have been discharged, some have been [remanded] into judicial [custody], and some have been kept for identity parade," he added.

The IHC CJ then warned the IG against any one of his officers impeding the protests.

After that, the court adjourned the hearing while seeking a report regarding the number of people detained, remanded in judicial custody, and released, by tomorrow (December 22).

Earlier during the hearing, petitioners' counsel Mazari told the court that force was used against the protesters, who were also baton-charged.

"Peaceful protesters were also detained, which is illegal," Mazari said, adding that the protesters included women and children.

District court orders release of 33 marchers on bail​

Meanwhile, a district and sessions court in Islamabad ordered the release of 33 Baloch marchers on bail.

Police presented the Baloch protesters before the court of Judicial Magistrate Shabbir Bhatti, seeking permission for the identity parade of 25 marchers and physical remand for eight of them.

However, the court turned down police's request and ordered the protesters' release against surety bonds of Rs5,000.

It said that the arrested protesters should be kept in judicial custody in Adiala jail till the submission of bonds.

Committee​

To address the grievances of the protesters who arrived in the capital city, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has also formed a five-member committee headed by Fawad Hasan Fawad, caretaker federal minister for privatisation, sources told Geo News.

The committee also comprises federal ministers Jamal Shah, Murtaza Solangi, Khalil George, and Aneeq Ahmed, the sources added.

PM Kakar has instructed the committee members to meet the protesters and find out their issues. He has also said that those who do not seriously violate the law will also be released.

'Unwarranted force'​

Meanwhile, reacting to the use of force against the protesters, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan earlier in the day strongly condemned the violent police crackdown on Baloch protesters in Islamabad, with women, children, and the elderly subjected to unwarranted force in the form of water cannons and use of batons.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the HRCP wrote: "Numerous women protesters have reportedly been arrested and separated from their male relatives and allies."

https://x.com/HRCP87/status/1737717250436829566?s=20

The human rights body further stated that this treatment of Baloch citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly is inexcusable.

"It also reflects how little the state thinks of the protesters' demand that their right to life and liberty be upheld. All those detained must be released unconditionally," it added.

The HRCP also said it urgently calls on the government to organise a delegation to meet the protesters and give their legitimate demands a fair hearing.
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Original Publication: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1...nst-arrests-of-baloch-protestors-in-islamabad