Quetta:
Police in Quetta and several other districts in Balochistan detained more than 200 opposition party workers and leaders on Monday in a day -long crash associated with recent protest demonstrations.
In Quetta alone, over 100 people were taken into custody from Sariab, Brewery, Airport Road, Bypass and other parts of the city.
The detainees included senior figures from various parties, such as Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party’s Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal and Qahar Khan Wadan, Balochistan National Party’s Malik Naseer Shahwani and Tahir Shahwani and Pakistan Tehreek-E-In-In-In-Leder sick Agha.
Similar actions were reported in several districts. In Sorab, GDP district president Abdul Latif and three supporters were picked up for blocking Quetta – Karachi Highway.
In Mastung, GNP’s Haji Anwar Mengal and the National Party Mir Sikandar Mulazai were arrested among 14.
Seven Workers from Anp and PKMAP were rounded off in Loralai, while eight others, including senior members in the National Party and GDP, were held in Jaffarabad.
Police also confirmed nine arrests in Nasirabad, 16 in Duki, including PTI -District Secretary Majeed Nasir, four in Sanjavi and more more in Kalat. In Chaman, about 15 workers at PKMAP were detained.
A government official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the arrests were asked after protesters allegedly threw stones at vehicles and tried to force shop owners to close their business.
However, opposition leaders strongly rejected this explanation.
At a press conference, a Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami accused police to use tear gas and batons “without provocation” against workers he insisted was engaged in a peaceful protest.
“The right to protest is denied by the authorities,” he said.
The sweeping arrests come in the midst of increased political tensions in Balochistan after the recent suicide bombing near Shuhada Stadium in Quetta, who claimed more lives and triggered fresh demonstrations throughout the province.
