Jamaat-e-Islami Launches Long March from Quetta to Islamabad Over Balochistan Rights

Quetta:Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan, led by provincial party chief and Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, commenced a long march from Quetta to Islamabad on Friday morning. The protest aims to highlight six key demands related to the ongoing issues in Balochistan, including the recovery of missing persons, worsening law and order, rising unemployment, trawler mafia operations, exclusion of the province from CPEC projects, and the lack of access to local resources for the people.

Speaking to the media before departure, Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman stated, “The Constitution of Pakistan gives us the right to peaceful protest. We are marching to Islamabad to secure the rights of Balochistan. The people of Balochistan deserve respect, and until our demands are met, we will not return.”

Senior leaders including Maulana Abdul Haq Hashmi, Abdul Mateen Akhunzada, Dr. Ata-ur-Rehman, Hafiz Noor Ali, Maulana Abdul Hameed Mansoori, Abdul Wali Shakir, Jameel Mashwani, and Abdul Naeem Rind were also present at the launch of the protest.

The convoy, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Quetta, set off towards Islamabad via Kuchlak and Bostan. Despite attempts by authorities to block the march at multiple points including Airport Road, Tor Nasser, Kuchlak Bypass, and Bostan Bazaar, the participants removed barriers and continued their journey.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful protest and warned the government against creating obstacles. “We are peaceful people and want to reach Islamabad without provocation. Don’t push us to the wall,” said Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman.

The six-point charter of demands includes:

1. Recovery of missing persons.
2. Restoration of peace and end to lawlessness.
3. Resolution of rising unemployment in the province.
4. Curbing the trawler mafia damaging marine resources.
5. Ensuring Balochistan’s due share in CPEC.
6. Granting the people control over the province’s natural resources.

The long march represents a major political statement, bringing national attention to longstanding grievances in Balochistan.