July 15, 2024
Staff Report
LAHORE
After a two-week-long sit-in, activists from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) have called off their protest against the alleged enforced disappearance of Zaheer Baloch, following successful negotiations with government officials.
The breakthrough came after talks led by Quetta Division Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat, culminating in a signed agreement on July 14.
Dr Mahrang Baloch, a prominent leader of BYC, announced that the protest would be temporarily suspended for 15 days. Under the terms of the agreement, which was signed by Commissioner Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat, Mahrang Baloch, and Yasmeen Abdullah, sister of the missing activist Zaheer Baloch, legal action will be taken against unidentified officials from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in connection with the disappearance.
Further, all charges filed against protesters on July 11 will be withdrawn, with the immediate release of those detained, except for those implicated in violent acts. Personal belongings confiscated during arrests will be returned on release.
A joint committee comprising representatives from both sides will be tasked with locating Zaheer Baloch, with an interim progress report expected within 15 days. As part of the agreement, the family of the missing activist has agreed to end their sit-in immediately, and refrain from staging further demonstrations until the committee submits its findings.
In a gesture of goodwill, protesters have also pledged not to organise any demonstrations during Muharram. Moving forward, all future protests and sit-ins will comply with legal requirements, with specifics to be coordinated in consultation with local authorities.
Zaheer Baloch disappeared on June 27, 2023 and since then, the family has staged multiple protests, unfortunately, in vain.