The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday inquired why Baloch protesters in the federal capital, who were subjected to brutal police action a day earlier, were being “forcefully” sent back to their province. “They can stay in Islamabad, protest or go back home. The choice is theirs,” remarked IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq on a petition filed by Baloch protesters against unlawful detention. On Wednesday night, the Islamabad police used brutal force to disperse and detain Baloch demonstrators who had converged on the capital to protest against enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings in their province. More than 200 protesters were taken into custody from different areas of Islamabad. The demonstrators were also met with tear gas, water canons and police batons. The events were strongly condemned by human rights organisations, politicians and analysts. Later on Thursday evening, the government said 90 per cent of the Baloch men and women taken into custody had been released, except for the men who “could not be identified” by police. During the hearing, the petitioners’ counsel Attaullah Kundi and Imaan Mazari appeared before the court.

At the outset, Kundi contended that the police had told the counsels that a bus was waiting outside the police station which would take the protesters back home. “We had a conversation over this with the police for three hours,” he said. The lawyer further stated that the SP had told them that orders were issued by the prime minister for the repatriation of the protesters. “Baloch women were forcefully filled into buses,” he revealed, adding that some Baloch students studying in Islamabad were also forced into the buses. However, later these students were released, Kundi said. “Seeing all this, the drivers of the buses refused to move. During all this, the Islamabad police chief reached the police station and said these people should be sent back anyhow,” he told the court, adding that the gates of the police station were later closed. At 5am, the police issued a statement that protesters had been safely sent back home, the lawyer pointed out. At that, the court inquired who had appeared in court to represent the police to which a police officer came forth. However, Justice Farooq expressed displeasure and summoned IG Akbar Nasir in half an hour.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)