Muzaffarabad, (PaK): Tensions escalated in Balochistan on March 22, 2025 as police reportedly arrested Mahrang Baloch, the head of the Baloch Yakjehti (solidarity) Committee (BYC), during a crackdown on a protest sit-in in Quetta. The demonstration, organized by the BYC, was demanding justice for missing persons and an end to enforced disappearances in the region.
According to the BYC, police forcibly dispersed the sit-in at Quetta’s Sariab Road, confiscated protest materials, and detained Mahrang Baloch. However, local authorities have yet to confirm her arrest, leaving the situation shrouded in uncertainty.
The crackdown comes amid heightened tensions in Quetta, where mobile phone and internet services have been suspended to prevent further unrest. The BYC had called for a province-wide shutter-down strike and wheel-jam protest, which saw significant participation in Baloch-majority districts such as Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, and Hub. In Quetta, businesses remained partially closed in Sariab Road and surrounding areas, while other parts of the city observed a complete shutdown.
A Call for Justice
The BYC’s protests are part of a long-standing movement against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan, a region plagued by decades of conflict and human rights abuses. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent voice in the movement, has been at the forefront of organizing demonstrations and raising awareness about the plight of missing persons.
Her reported arrest has sparked outrage among activists and local communities, who view it as an attempt to silence dissent. “The state’s response to peaceful protests is always repression,” said a BYC spokesperson. “Mahrang’s arrest is a clear message that they do not want us to speak out.”
Internet Shutdown and Communication Blackout
In a move criticized by human rights organizations, authorities suspended mobile phone and internet services across Quetta, effectively cutting off communication and limiting the flow of information. Such measures are not uncommon in Balochistan, where protests and unrest are often met with communication blackouts.
The suspension of services has drawn condemnation from international rights groups, who argue that it violates freedom of expression and assembly. “Shutting down the internet is a tactic to suppress dissent and hide human rights violations,” said a spokesperson for Amnesty International.
Broader Context
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province, has been a hotspot for separatist movements and state-led counterinsurgency operations. The region’s residents have long accused the government of marginalization and human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
The BYC’s protests and Mah Rang Baloch’s activism highlight the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability in the region. Her arrest, if confirmed, could further inflame tensions and draw international attention to the plight of Baloch activists.
As the situation unfolds, human rights organizations and international observers are calling for transparency and restraint from Pakistani authorities. The world watches as Balochistan’s activists continue their fight for justice in the face of mounting challenges.