BYC to end Gwadar protest after successful talks with govt

Gwadar: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has announced it will end its protest in Gwadar following the signing of a seven-point agreement with the government, as confirmed by Balochistan’s Interior Minister on Friday.

The BYC had been staging demonstrations at Marine Drive in Gwadar and other locations for nearly a week, protesting alleged human rights violations, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan.

The reports said that clashes between protesters and security forces resulted in the deaths of three protesters and injuries to at least 24 others. BYC leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch claimed that security personnel arrested over 200 individuals.

The talks between the government and the BYC, which began on Wednesday evening, concluded with an agreement to end the protests.

 “The talks between the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and the district administration have been successful, and the organizers have agreed to end their sit-ins across the province,” stated Balochistan’s Interior Minister Mir Zia Ullah Langov.

He appealed to the public to protest peacefully and not damage property or harm others, emphasizing that the government would not permit lawlessness under the guise of protest.

The seven-point agreement, signed by Gwadar Deputy Commissioner Hamoodur Rehman and Dr. Mahrang, outlines several key provisions:

The BYC would cease its protest once all arrested protesters in Balochistan and Karachi are released.

Those jailed on judicial remand would be released by August 5 following court proceedings.

The Balochistan government will coordinate with Sindh authorities to ensure the release of detainees there, and all cases against Raji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering) protesters will be withdrawn, except for those related to fatalities during the protests.

Highways would be reopened and mobile networks restored two hours after the protest ends.

A committee with members from the BYC and district administration would be formed, and confiscated items would be returned within a week.

No harassment would be tolerated for protest participation, and cases would be registered for complaints from families of those killed or injured.

All sit-ins across the province would conclude once the Gwadar Marine Drive protest ended.

Dr. Mahrang Baloch stated that the BYC refused any compensation from the government for those killed or injured during the protests.

“We had informed the government that the blood of our martyrs cannot be compensated by money. We cannot accept the money to demean our national heroes,” she posted on social media.

She added that the BYC would not seek compensation for the injured either and plans to raise funds through donations, making it clear that the group is committed for continuous struggle and national unity.