BYC Calls Off Gwadar Sit-in After Productive Government Talks

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has ended its sit-in in Gwadar and other Balochistan areas following successful negotiations with government representatives. The agreement concluded late Thursday night, ensuring BYC demands are met. Key figures in the talks included Senior Minister Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, and Sammi Deen.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has called off its sit-in in Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan following successful negotiations with government representatives, according to Dawn. The talks, which concluded late Thursday night, were led by Senior Minister Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi for the government and represented by Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen for the BYC.

The negotiations took place in Gwadar, with Baloch caravans departing for Turbat in the afternoon. A special assembly is set to be held in Turbat later in the evening. Lead activist Mahrang Baloch announced that the government had accepted the sit-in's demands, promising the BYC would end its protests once these demands were implemented. The caravan will proceed to Turbat for a public gathering to outline its next steps.

During the final round of talks, which lasted several hours, key issues between the government and the BYC were resolved, leading to the suspension of protests in Gwadar and other areas, reports Dawn. The discussions featured National Party leader Hussain Ashraf, Gwadar DC Hamoodur Rehman, SSP Najeeb Paindran, and Makran Commissioner Dawood Khiliji. A public gathering is planned for the afternoon.

The BYC had previously demanded assurances from the Pakistani government that participants in the Baloch National Gathering would not face harassment, no further FIRs would be filed, and no unnecessary force would be used against future peaceful assemblies. The BYC also demanded compensation for public financial damages caused by state military and intelligence agencies during the Baloch National Gathering.

Balochistan has long been marred by tensions and conflicts between Baloch activists and Pakistani security forces, with the region witnessing numerous human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture.

(With inputs from agencies.)