Authorities in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province on Sunday stopped a long march led by the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) from entering Quetta, where protesters planned to demand the release of detained activists, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch.
The protest caravan, which began last week in the southern town of Wadh, reached Lakpass early Saturday—about 30 kilometers from Quetta—before being intercepted by security forces.
BNP-M leaders said their route has been blocked for days, with roads dug up and the provincial capital effectively cut off from at least 12 districts.
Senior BNP-M leader Sanaullah Baloch told Dot that “hundreds of our supporters and workers were gathered in Lakpass since morning,” adding that the police blocked the first group of marchers led by party president Sardar Akhtar Mengal.
“Senior police officials told us that they were strictly directed by the government to stop this march from moving to Quetta,” Baloch said. “We would keep our attempt to peacefully march but if the government doesn’t allow us today, we would share our plan in the evening.”
‘Major operation imminent’
“We are currently stationed at Lakpass, completely encircled by security forces,” Mengal posted on X. “A major operation against us is imminent. I call upon all districts to immediately shut down all national highways in protest. Let the world witness this injustice. We remain peaceful, but resolute. Whatever unfolds today—the consequences, the blood, the fallout—will rest solely on the shoulders of the government and the local administration.”
The long march is primarily aimed at pressing the Balochistan government to release Dr Mahrang Baloch, a leading figure in the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), who was arrested on March 22. Protesters are also demanding that they be allowed to complete their march to Quetta.
The protests have drawn attention to long-standing tensions in the province, where separatist movements and human rights concerns have persisted for decades.
Reports have also surfaced of a communication blackout in Balochistan, with mobile networks and home WiFi services being disrupted.
On Friday, Balochistan’s Information Minister Shahid Rind warned demonstrators to stay away from Quetta’s Red Zone, saying the government would not tolerate any violation of Section 144, a law that restricts gatherings in certain areas.
Rind said the government had engaged in two rounds of talks with BNP-M leaders but did not elaborate on the outcome. He warned of “strict action” if protesters attempted to breach the Red Zone, home to key government buildings.
On Saturday, the provincial administration deployed additional forces to Lakpass. BNP-M leaders accused authorities of surrounding the area with troops in an effort to prevent the protest from gaining momentum.
Despite multiple attempts, government officials did not respond to requests for comment on the status of the march.
With additional information from Saadullah Niazi.
