All Parties Protest Rally in Turbat Against Border Closure, Extortion, and Insecurity; Thousands Participate

Turbat (Daily Qudrat): In District Kech, an protest rally was organized by All Parties Kech in Turbat against insecurity, theft, robbery, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, alleged enforced disappearances, closure of roads and border points, alleged unnecessary taxes, and obstacles in trade activities. The rally turned into a protest demonstration upon reaching Turbat Press Club. A large number of political party workers, traders, businesspersons, laborers, students, civil society members, and citizens participated in the rally.

The rally was led by All Parties Kech leaders including Fida Jan Balidi, Ghulam Yaseen Baloch, Zarif Zadg, Younis Javed, Dr. Ali Jan, Advocate Mashkoor Anwar, Muhammad Jan Dashti, Maulana Javed Nomani, Haji Ishaq Roshan Dashti, Nisar Adam Jauski, Comrade Gulzar Dost, and others. Participants held banners and placards bearing demands such as “Restore Border Trade,” “Guarantee Local People’s Access to Border,” “Stop Exploitation of Traders,” “Remove Check Posts from Naserabad to Hoshap,” “Remove Obstacles on Highways,” “Don’t Use Sticks on Daily Bread,” “Abolish Tax on Iranian Food Items,” and “Arrest Accused Involved in Serious Crimes.”

Addressing the protest demonstration outside Turbat Press Club, All Parties Kech Deputy Convener Fida Jan Balidi said that the border closure is unacceptable in any case, as border trade has been the primary source of livelihood and business for the people of the region for centuries. He said that the law and order situation in District Kech, including Turbat, is continuously deteriorating. Kidnapping for ransom and extortion incidents have left citizens insecure, while theft and robbery incidents are becoming routine.

Fida Jan Balidi said that extortion has become common in the city, and some traders and businesspersons are being called from various numbers demanding extortion. He demanded the arrest of accused involved in the firing incident at Sarfaraz Medical, saying that citizens catch thieves themselves, but sometimes police release them saying they belong to institutions.

He said that a press conference was held under the All Parties Kech platform to give a call for the September 20 protest on other public issues, including alleged enforced disappearances of women and youth. However, before the protest, some elements began distancing themselves from it. He said that distancing from public issues is tantamount to fleeing from the people.

Fida Jan Balidi demanded the immediate opening of all trade and fuel routes, saying that people run their homes and educate their children through this business. Instead of harassing traders, they should be provided facilities and protection. He said that if border trade is possible in Panjgur, Washuk, and other areas, why can’t District Kech’s border be made secure? He demanded the immediate opening of Jalgi and Abdoli borders.

He said that closing roads in the name of security causes severe difficulties for patients, doctors, and common citizens. According to him, people are being made to feel that their lives have no value. He also demanded the elimination of alleged illegal taxes.

Jamaat-e-Islami provincial leader Ghulam Yaseen Baloch said that the primary responsibility of security forces is to provide protection to the people. However, according to him, roads are closed for hours in the name of security, causing difficulties for the public. He said that instead of building higher walls and closing roads for their own security, officers should focus on protecting the people.

Ghulam Yaseen Baloch said that if the path of political and democratic struggle is closed, there is a risk of pushing the youth toward other paths. He said that All Parties Kech leaders and workers believe in the constitution and law, and their struggle is for peace, employment, and public rights.

He said that billions of rupees are spent in the name of law and order, but the people feel insecure. He raised the question that if the public also has to protect security institutions, then from whom should common citizens seek protection? He said that the people of Kech are peaceful and democratic, and the current protest is for the resolution of public issues.

BNP Awami Central Vice President Comrade Zarif Zadg Baloch said that the responsibility of law enforcement agencies is to provide protection to the people. Criticizing the border closure and law and order situation, he said that on one hand, border trade is closed, while on the other hand, traders are allegedly receiving extortion slips.

Zarif Zadg questioned that if legal trade can take place on other borders of the country, why is trade not allowed from Balochistan’s borders? Referring to alleged extortion from Dasht to Hoshap and alleged looting of homes and shops in Absar and Shadabad, he said that the protection of people’s lives and property must be ensured.

He also termed the attack on Professor Dr. Ghafoor Shad’s house during the protest as regrettable and said that the All Parties Kech movement will continue. If demands are not accepted, a series of shutter-down strikes, protests, and sit-ins will be launched.

Advocate Mashkoor Anwar Baloch, while addressing, said that Kech is a political, social, and conscious society, and its people cannot be silenced. He said that the constitution and law guarantee the protection of people’s lives, property, and economic security.

He said that due to the border closure for the past two years, the people of District Kech, with a population of 1.4 million, are facing severe economic difficulties, as border trade is an important source of the region’s economy. He demanded free elections, free trade, and employment opportunities.

Mashkoor Anwar said that closing roads causes difficulties and humiliation for patients, even though protecting the people is the responsibility of state institutions. He demanded that security institutions realize public difficulties and provide facilities to citizens.

He said that this protest is not of any single party or individual but a joint protest of traders, laborers, students, and various segments of society. If demands are not seriously considered, the scope of the protest will be further expanded.

Others who addressed the gathering included BSO Pajar Chairman Boheer Saleh, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Maulana Javed Nomani, All Makran Traders Union Chairman Haji Ishaq Roshan Dashti, former Senator Ismail Balidi, Turbat Civil Society Convener Comrade Gulzar Dost, border representative Mo’tabar Sherjan, Anjuman Tajran Kech’s Nisar Ahmed Jauski, and other leaders.

Speakers expressed concern over insecurity, theft, robbery, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, closure of border points, and obstacles in public movement in Turbat and District Kech, and announced further organization of All Parties Kech’s political struggle.

Speakers presented three basic demands: immediately restore law and order in District Kech, open border trade and all trade and fuel routes, and end the closure of roads, shops, courts, and hospitals in the name of security.

Speakers also expressed reservations regarding political freedoms. They said that space exists in the country for various nationalist slogans and political expression; however, the impression of restrictions on expression related to Baloch identity and rights should be removed.

Speakers also criticized some representatives of the Peoples Party, Muslim League, BNP, and Balochistan National Alliance for distancing themselves from the protest and said that political parties should stand with the people on public issues.

At the conclusion of the gathering, All Parties Kech Convener Younis Javed thanked the political parties, traders, civil society, students, laborers, and citizens participating in the protest and said that All Parties Kech’s struggle has not ended but today’s gathering is the beginning of a protest movement.

He said that if public demands are not accepted, the scope of the protest will be further expanded and the path of shutter-down strikes, sit-ins, and other democratic protest actions will be adopted. Wahid Bajar Baloch performed the duties of stage secretary at the gathering.

All Parties Kech leaders made it clear that the people of Kech will continue their political and democratic struggle against insecurity, economic difficulties, border closure, road closures, and the situation of insecurity.