July 8, 2025
Staff Report
LAHORE
Four women protestors who had been detained after participating in a peaceful demonstration in Hub, were released on July 7, but one of the other protesters, a renowned activist and member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Abdullah Langho Baloch, is still in custody at Central Jail Gaddani, despite claims that he had not been part of the protest.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Hub had earlier informed the Vice Chairperson of HRCP Balochistan, Kashif Panezai, that the district administration would cooperate if a formal application for Langho’s release was submitted by a family member.
Acting on that assurance, Langho’s son, Abdul Waheed, submitted the required application at the DC Office around 11 am on July 7.
However, Waheed told Voicepk that despite more than four hours of waiting, he had received no updates on the status of his father’s release.
“I submitted the application for my father’s release around 11 am, as instructed by the DC. Since then, I’ve been waiting for hours without any update. No one is informing me about his status, or the process,” he said.
Voicepk reached out to the Hub DC for a comment on the matter but has not received a response yet.
Arrests follow protest over Zeeshan Baloch’s killing
The arrests stemmed from a protest held on July 5 by the Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) in response to the extrajudicial killing of Zeeshan Baloch. The demonstration saw significant participation from women, who carried placards that read, “The state of Pakistan never returned Zeeshan’s father—not in a decade. But it made sure to return Zeeshan himself as a lifeless body.”
Among those detained were Langho, Mehtab Hanif, Samul Samad, Zaimal Samad, and Sadia Jan. A letter from the Deputy Commissioner of Hub (Ref: 5161-67/3MPO/DC/HUB(Detention)
Family disputes involvement
Kashif Panezai, HRCP’s Vice Chair for Balochistan, confirmed Langho’s arrest and stated that Langho had informed him about plans for a candlelight vigil for Zeeshan Baloch, another victim of enforced disappearance and killing. Panezai added that the Lasbela Press Club, where the vigil was to be held, had been sealed off by police under a provincial directive banning public gatherings during Muharram.
“When the vigil was converted into a peaceful walk, the police intervened and arrested Abdullah and others. We found out only the next day due to network disruptions,” Panezai said. “The administration confirmed that they were detained under the MPO and transferred to Gaddani Jail.”
Panezai noted that the Deputy Commissioner had requested a formal application for Langho’s case to be considered and had promised cooperation.
However, Langho’s son, Abdul Waheed, strongly denied his father’s involvement in the protest. “He went out to meet friends after breakfast and was sitting at a pharmacy near the protest site. He was not part of the demonstration,” Waheed said.
HRCP urges unconditional release
In a public statement, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan condemned the arrests and called for immediate action:
“HRCP is alarmed to learn that several civil society activists in Balochistan have been taken into custody in connection with their work. These include HRCP member Abdullah Baloch, who was arrested in Hub, and Gulzar Dost Baloch, who was arrested in Turbat. We urge the authorities to release them unconditionally and remind the state that it must uphold people’s constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly.”
BYC alleges targeted crackdown
Arif Baloch, a Central Committee member of the BYC, described the July 5 demonstration as peaceful and emphasized that participants chose to walk to the Hub Press Club after the Lasbela venue was sealed. “Within minutes, police launched aerial firing, tear gas shelling, and baton charges. They specifically targeted BYC leadership,” he alleged.
Arif also confirmed that Langho was not part of the protest. “He was in contact with us but did not participate. He arrived after the crackdown had already begun.”
Legal access denied, lawyers threatened
According to Arif, efforts by the District Bar Cabinet to meet the detainees were blocked by police. “They waited from 8 p.m. to midnight, but the SHO claimed he was helpless. The President of the Hub Bar even received a threatening call, allegedly from a colonel, warning lawyers to avoid associating with the BYC,” he claimed.
Despite appeals, the detainees were not presented before a court and were directly transferred to Gaddani Jail. BYC demanded due process and transparency, particularly in light of the inclusion of women and a prominent HRCP member among the arrested.
Most women protesters had no BYC links
Arif clarified that most of the women detained were not BYC members. “Many were attending their first protest. Their families contacted us much later. Only Sadia Jan had participated in earlier demonstrations—her brother is missing, and she had come from Khuzdar,” he said.
Arif further confirmed the arrest of Turbat-based activist Gulzar Dost. “He was picked up by CTD and presented in a session court in Turbat. He has now been shifted to Central Jail Turbat, where he faces multiple charges,” he stated.
As of July 8, the four arrested women had been released. However, both Abdullah Baloch Langho and Gulzar Dost remain in detention. The HRCP continues to call for their immediate and unconditional release..