August 4, 2025
By Rana Malhi
ISLAMABAD
The families of Baloch missing persons continued their protest outside the National Press Club in Islamabad for the 20th consecutive day, demanding the recovery of their loved ones and the release of detained Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) leaders.
‘End sit-in’ says petition
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) heard a petition seeking an end to the sit-in. The court instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad to initiate talks and offer the protestors an alternative location for their sit-in.
During the proceedings, Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar directed the Islamabad administration to engage in negotiations with the protestors and bring the demonstration to a close through dialogue. He remarked that protestors could not block roads and disrupt the businesses of others.
Following the court order, Assistant Commissioner (City) Maheen Hassan visited the protest site and held talks with the demonstrators. Speaking to Voicepk, Nadia Baloch — sister of the arrested BYC leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch — said that the AC proposed that they should relocate their protest to Sangjani, but the families had requested that they continue their sit-in outside the National Press Club and presented their demands for dialogue with the government.
Human rights lawyer Hadi Ali told Voicepk that while the court’s direction to initiate talks was a welcome step, it would have been better had the court also inquired about the reason behind the protest.
Human rights activist Bushra Gohar also joined the protest. Speaking to Voicepk, she said that the families were running from pillar to post in search of their loved ones, and the government should talk to them, address their demands, and resolve the issue in accordance with the Constitution.
For now the protestors have reiterated that their demonstration will continue until the government holds talks, releases the detained BYC leaders and other missing persons, and responds to their demands.