Sammi Deen Baloch Arrested as Karachi Imposes Section 144
The imposition of Section 144 in Karachi has sparked concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and the suppression of peaceful dissent, with many questioning the government's motives and the impact on the city's already fragile law and order situation. The arrest of Sammi Deen Baloch and other BYC leaders has added to the tensions, with human rights defenders calling for their release and an end to the crackdown on peaceful protests.
The city of Karachi has been placed under Section 144, banning public gatherings of more than five people, following a protest organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) against the arrest of its leader Mahrang Baloch, with several BYC leaders, including Sammi Deen Baloch, being taken into custody.
The protest, which was held in defiance of the existing Section 144, turned chaotic as police attempted to disperse the crowd, with a heated altercation ensuing between the protesters and the police. The protesters, mostly women, had gathered to demand the release of Mahrang Baloch, who has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2025. Despite the restrictions, the protesters carried posters of Mahrang and chanted slogans, with some even physically confronting the police.
A counter-protest, allegedly backed by the Pakistan Ulema Council, emerged during the chaos, with its participants shouting slogans and warning of taking matters into their own hands. The police eventually arrested several BYC leaders, including Sammi Deen Baloch, and took them away in a police van. The event has raised questions about the state's treatment of the Baloch people and its willingness to suppress their demands for justice and human rights.
The ban on public gatherings, which was imposed on the recommendation of the Additional Inspector General of Police, Karachi, has raised concerns among civil society activists and human rights organizations, who argue it is being used to stifle peaceful dissent. The crackdown has sparked criticism from human rights defenders, including Front Line Defenders, which condemned the arrests and called for the immediate release of all detained protestors.
The situation in Karachi remains tense, with the ban on public gatherings in place until March 31, 2025. The arrest of Sammi Deen Baloch and other BYC leaders has drawn widespread condemnation, with many calling for their immediate release and an end to the suppression of peaceful dissent.