Date: 6-1-2024
By: Aitzaz Ibrahim
Lahore
The protest sit-in outside Islamabad’s National Press Club against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings has now entered its 16th day.
Meanwhile on Friday, Khairpur district police had booked Dr Mahrang Baloch, the main organizer of the protest, Manzoor Pashteen, the leader of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement and 300 others unnamed protestors in an FIR under charges of sedition allegedly committed during their ongoing protest in Islamabad.
The FIR, registered on the state’s complaint under Section 124-A of Pakistan Penal Code, was lodged at Wadda Machion police station on the complaint of Sub Inspector Sarfaraz Ahmed Khoso.
He claimed that he came to know through the news telecast and published in the mainstream media as well as on social media that Mahrang and her associates were spreading anti-Pakistan sentiments among the people.
He added that the accused delivered speeches aimed at inciting hatred for Pakistan and the army. The policeman stated that Mahrang and her 300 associates had been continuing their sit-in outside Islamabad Press Club during which they had also been inciting youth to rebel against the country.
He also blamed Pakhtun political figure Manzoor Pashteen for being involved in the conspiracy. Pashteen has also been named as accused in the FIR.
COURT ORDERS
Meanwhile Islamabad High Court ordered on Friday not to harass the Baloch protesters, issuing directions for providing them facilities. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani while hearing the case of harassment of Baloch protesters directed them to appoint a focal person to communicate with the administration.
Justice Kayani remarked that women and children are among the protesters. “It is the responsibility of the police and the administration to protect them. “Those whose brothers, fathers, and sons are missing, only they know the pain.”
Lawyer Attaullah Kundi appeared before the court on behalf of petitioner Sammi Deen Baloch. On the court’s order, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon and SSP operations also appeared.
The court told the petitioner’s lawyer that they should not create any situation that would undermine their purpose. The hearing was adjourned till Jan 19.