Baloch Women Continue Sit-in in Islamabad for Seventh Day Despite Rain and Police Harassment

Islamabad, Pakistan — July 21, 2025: The families of Baloch missing persons and relatives of detained Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders continued their sit-in in Islamabad for the sixth consecutive day, braving heavy rain, threats, and police harassment.

For the third day in a row, Islamabad police barred the protesters from reaching the Press Club and denied them permission to pitch tents, forcing the Baloch women to carry on their protest under the open sky despite unrelenting rain.

In a statement, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee said: “Despite the nonstop rain and road closures, the families remain steadfast in their peaceful protest, demanding the release of BYC leaders and an end to enforced disappearances in Balochistan.”

A heavy police contingent arrived at the protest site today. According to BYC, the police and local administration harassed protesters under the pretext of identity verification and carried out profiling of participants, which the group strongly condemned. The committee warned that if any harm came to the protesters, the responsibility would lie with Islamabad police and Pakistani authorities.

The families reiterated their two core demands:

• The withdrawal of false charges and release of BYC leaders.

• An end to enforced disappearances and the recovery of missing persons in Balochistan.

Late at night, police evicted the protesters from their residential flats, forcing them to spend the night in various locations across the city. BYC called on international human rights organizations and media outlets to take notice of the grave situation and help restore the protesters’ basic rights.