SOME months ago, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) called a jirga in Gwadar. The aim was to highlight the many challenges of Balochistan such as underdevelopment and state excesses, including enforced disappearances.

Then came the reaction. First, the permission to hold the gathering in Gwadar was denied — the infamous NOC — because of ‘law and order’. When the date approached, the roads were blocked as people began travelling to the venue in caravans and BYC volunteers alleged harassment. Travellers were stopped at security check posts and clashes broke out. According to one story in the international press, the BYC said, a group travelling from Mastung was fired upon while the security forces said one of their own soldiers was killed and 16 others injured. Internet and phone services remained suspended in Gwadar. The BYC claimed its young leaders were also disappeared for a short while. Those of us using social media came across videos in which uniformed people were seen firing at vehicles, though these remain ‘unverified’ in the eyes of the state. What viewers believe or don’t believe is another matter.

Though the protest was called off after a few days, the chief minister later claimed the protesters had been offered a different venue but insisted on Gwadar. Difficult protesters, them. The incident took place in July.

In October, the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement, another grassroots, rights-based movement like the BYC, called a jirga. Their objective, like the Baloch, was to discuss the challenges facing the Pakhtuns,........

© Dawn