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Balochistan: The Baloch Students Action Committee has strongly condemned a police operation carried out against a peaceful protest organized by government employees in Balochistan. The protest, led by a workers’ coalition, witnessed arrests and the use of force, raising serious concerns about the treatment of educators, professionals, and public servants. According to the committee, the incident reflects a deeply troubling trend where democratic expression and lawful demands are being met with repression.

Police Action Against Government Employees

The incident took place in Quetta, where employees from various public sector departments had gathered to demand the implementation of the Disparity Reduction Allowance. These workers were part of the Balochistan Grand Alliance, which had announced a sit-in within the city’s high-security Red Zone.

On Tuesday, police blocked access to the area and detained dozens of protesters, including teachers, professors, and other professionals. Reports indicate that law enforcement personnel used force to disperse the crowd, preventing them from staging their planned demonstration.

Allegations of Humiliation and Excessive Force

In a strongly worded statement, the student committee described the manner in which educators were treated as shocking and dishonourable. It highlighted a particular incident where a professor was allegedly dragged on the street by police officers before being taken into custody. The committee described this act as a severe insult to the teaching profession, which traditionally holds a respected position in society.

The statement further emphasized that such actions by officials paid through public funds represent a moral failure and an abuse of authority. According to the committee, this behavior undermines the dignity of educators and sends a negative message about the value placed on education and intellectual contribution.

Shrinking Space for Peaceful Dissent

The committee also noted that in Balochistan, peaceful protest has increasingly been treated as a criminal act. It claimed that citizens raising legitimate demands are subjected to arrests and harsh treatment, even when no unlawful activity has taken place. This situation, it argued, reflects a broader pattern of intolerance toward dissent in the province.

While authorities frequently speak about improving governance, introducing educational reforms, and ensuring transparency in recruitment, the committee pointed out a clear contradiction between these claims and the treatment of public sector workers. The use of force against teachers and employees, it said, exposes the gap between official promises and ground realities.

Call for Investigation and Accountability

Condemning the violence, the student body demanded that senior authorities in Pakistan initiate an independent and transparent investigation into the incident. It called for strict disciplinary action against all officials found responsible for using excessive force or humiliating protesters.

The committee stressed that accountability is essential not only to deliver justice to the affected individuals but also to restore public trust in state institutions.

Internet Suspension and Protest Restrictions

According to a report published by The Balochistan Post, mobile internet services were suspended across Quetta and surrounding areas during the protest. This disruption caused widespread communication problems, further escalating tensions and limiting the ability of protesters to share information.

Prior to the demonstration, authorities had sealed off major entry points to the Red Zone by placing shipping containers late at night. When protesters regrouped outside the Quetta Press Club, police again intervened and carried out mass arrests.

Escalation of the Movement

Following the detentions, the workers’ alliance announced a “jail bharo” campaign, signaling its intention to continue protests despite the crackdown. Public sector employees across Balochistan have since expressed solidarity, while human rights groups have voiced concerns over what they describe as a pattern of heavy-handed responses to civic movements.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between state authorities and civil society in Balochistan, where demands for economic fairness and respectful treatment continue to meet resistance.