Authorities in Karachi sealed roads around the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Monday to counter an expected protest by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). The group had planned a demonstration against the recent arrests of its leaders in Quetta. In response, the city administration imposed Section 144, banning all public gatherings.
Roads Blocked, Traffic Diverted
To restrict movement near KPC, officials placed buses and barriers on key routes. Both tracks from Deen Muhammad Wafai Road to Fawara Chowk were blocked, forcing traffic diversions. Vehicles from MR Kiani Chowrangi were redirected to Court Road, while traffic from Fawara Chowk was moved toward Zainab Market.
KPC Condemns Road Closures
KPC President Fazil Jameeli strongly opposed the roadblocks and restrictions on journalists’ movement. He urged the Sindh Inspector General (IG) to take action and immediately clear the roads around the press club.
Read: Sindh Declares Public Holiday on April 4 for Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s Death Anniversary
Arrests and Charges Against BYC Leaders
The crackdown on BYC leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch and 17 others took place on Saturday in Quetta, where police raided their protest camp. The detainees are being held under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance at Quetta District Jail.
Authorities have accused Mahrang and other BYC members of multiple serious offenses, including terrorism, incitement to rebellion, and murder. An FIR filed at Saryab Police Station lists 150 individuals, including several key BYC figures.
The charges include violations of Sections 7 and 11W of the Anti-Terrorism Act and multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. Officials claim BYC members aided rioters who shot police officers, civilians, and fellow protesters, resulting in three deaths and 15 injured officers.
Allegations of Hospital Attack and Road Blockades
Authorities also accuse BYC members of storming Quetta’s Civil Hospital last week. The FIR filed at Civil Lines Police Station states that a mob of 100 to 150 people forcibly took the bodies of attackers involved in the Jaffar Express train incident.
The group allegedly stopped an ambulance at Hockey Chowk, assaulted the driver, and loaded the bodies into the vehicle. Another FIR at Brewery Police Station in Quetta charges BYC leaders with blocking the Western Bypass Road and chanting anti-state slogans.
Escalating Tensions
Mahrang led a sit-in protest on Saryab Road on Friday night, placing bodies on the street to demand justice. By Saturday, security forces launched a crackdown, leading to multiple arrests.
Police have not officially disclosed Mahrang’s whereabouts but confirm she is being held in District Jail under Section 3 or 16 MPO.
As tensions rise, the closure of roads around KPC highlights the government’s firm stance against dissent. The situation remains volatile, with journalists, activists, and political groups closely watching developments.
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