Lahore:

In an open letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Civil Society activists, including academics and journalists, has sought the release of imprisoned Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Sammi deen Baloch and others.

Most of the BYC leaders are under arrests and are facing charges ranging from creating a law and order situation to their commitment to terrorist activities.

“We, the undersigned citizens of Pakistan, encourage you to take immediate action to release leader Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Baloch and other retained leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) before Eid so they can spend it with their loved ones,” Read the letter.

“Their arrests are an obvious attempt to dampen votes that advance to an end to enforce the disappearance and of fundamental rights and justice of the people of Balochistan,” the letter continued.

The letter expressed alarm in the treatment of female activists in the hands of law enforcement authorities and condemns the deployment of “excessive strength” against peaceful protesters.