The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard on the petition against police harassment of Baloch protestors and instructed Baloch protesters to immediately appoint a focal person for negotiations with the Islamabad administration and Police. The judge remarked that there are women and children among the protestors, if anything happens to them, the administration and the police will be held responsible. Islamabad Deputy Commissioner appeared before the court and said that protesters cannot use the sound system 24 hours a day as other citizens also have rights. The representative of Islamabad IG said that Baloch protesters’ people were taken away by some ‘unknown’ people and that might be there some quarrel between them. The IHC justice Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani remarked that those whose brothers, fathers and sons are missing only know what is happening to them.

The court said that the focal person of the Baloch protesters will meet the police and the administration at 3 o'clock today (Friday). The court adjourned the hearing till January 19. Earlier, addressing the police chief, IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq remarked that there was no restriction on protests. These people did not commit any terrorism, and they have marched on Islamabad because their relatives have been picked up, he added. “This is what is wrong,” the top judge remarked. The Islamabad IGP told the court that no child or woman was in their custody. Meanwhile, the arrested Baloch protestors were presented in the District and Sessions Court. At least 33 Baloch protestors, including activist Mahrang Baloch, were brought to court and produced before Judicial Magistrate Shabir Bhatti.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)