Local journalist Niaz Baloch was subjected to severe physical assault by law enforcement officers, prompting widespread protests in the region.
Reportedly, Balochistan’s All Unemployed Union and Zamiad Union organized a protest on the Quetta-Karachi highway near a local hotel in Mastung. The demonstrators blocked the road, halting all traffic in response to the assault on Niaz Baloch, who had been forced to confront the police’s extortion practices involving small vehicles. The protest was a direct reaction to the police’s actions, as the journalist had raised concerns over the illegal money collection activities of the officers. The protestors demanded justice for Baloch and an end to the systemic abuse of power by security forces.
The blockade led to massive traffic congestion, with vehicles stranded on both sides of the highway. The region has long been a flashpoint of tension, with Army security forces facing increasing human rights violations against the Baloch community, including the suppression of dissent and the harassment of media personnel.
The incident occurred just a day after police forces detained Niaz Baloch, brutally assaulting him and confiscating his mobile phone, forcing him to delete videos documenting the illegal actions of the police. The heavy-handed tactics used against journalists and activists continue to raise alarm among human rights organizations, with the Paki establishment’s attempt to silence voices critical of its oppressive policies.