Police Shutdown Book Fair in Hub, Alleged Harassment and Intimidation of Participants

Hub:The Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) has condemned the actions of Hub police, who allegedly raided and forcibly shut down a two-day book fair organized by the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) in front of the Lasbela Press Club. According to the BSAC’s central spokesperson, police harassed participants, profiled them, and forcibly dismantled the book stalls, despite many children and students having traveled from remote areas to purchase books.

The spokesperson described the police’s actions as a shameful display of bullying, noting that while people were peacefully buying books, the police engaged in “extreme measures to remove the books.” When questioned about the legality of their actions, the police reportedly claimed there was no permission for holding the book fair at the Press Club, but refused to provide any written orders or notifications to justify the shutdown. The BSAC claims that these books are easily available in bookstores across Pakistan, but such events promoting knowledge are being deliberately stifled in Balochistan.

The BSAC condemned the forced closure of the book fair as an act of “anti-education and anti-Balochism” and vowed to continue their efforts to spread knowledge and educational opportunities in the region. They called on authorities to end such oppressive measures against intellectual and cultural activities in Balochistan.