Mahrang Baloch Leads Peaceful Protests in Gwadar, Pakistan

Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch is leading peaceful protests in Gwadar, Pakistan. She is urging the authorities to reopen major highways and restore internet and mobile services immediately. The protests began on July 28, 2023, as part of the 'Baloch Raaji Muchi' event, but quickly turned into a sit-in protest after a crackdown by state authorities.

The Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) reported that the crackdown involved significant force, leading to widespread unrest. Mahrang Baloch stated that the internet has been shut down since July 27, and all major highways connecting Gwadar to Karachi and the rest of the country have been closed.

She criticized the government's narrative that blames the Baloch Yekjehti Committee for the chaos. Mahrang Baloch emphasized that the protesters are peacefully sitting in one corner of Gwadar, demanding that state authorities fulfill their legitimate demands and create an environment for negotiations.

Despite several rounds of talks with government representatives and the district management of Gwadar, arrests of protesters continue. Mahrang Baloch warned that the government's actions could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe. She reiterated that the protesters have been and will remain peaceful, and it is up to the state to handle the situation responsibly.

The protests have since spread throughout Balochistan, evolving into rallies, shutdown strikes, and the closure of major highways. These actions reflect the growing discontent and determination among the Baloch people to demand justice and the release of detained individuals. The region has a history of tensions and conflicts between Baloch activists and Pakistani security forces, marked by numerous human rights abuses.