CJ IHC seeks report from IGP Islamabad by tomorrow in the case against arrest of Baloch students & denial of permission to protest

ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (SABAH): Chief Justice Islamabad High Court (IHC) Aamir Farooq has sought a report from the Islamabad police inspector general by tomorrow (Friday) in the case against the arrest of Baloch students and the denial of permission to protest.

Addressing the IG Police Islamabad Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan, IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq remarked that there was no restriction on protests. These people did not commit any terrorism, and they have marched on Islamabad because their relatives have been picked up, he added. “This is what is wrong,” the top judge remarked.

IHC CJ Aamer Farooq conducted hearing on the petition filed by the organizers of the long march of Baloch missing persons through Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir.

The Islamabad IGP told the court that no child or woman was in their custody.

Meanwhile, the arrested Baloch protestors were presented in the District and Sessions Court.

At least 33 Baloch protestors, including activist Mahrang Baloch, were brought to court and produced before Judicial Magistrate Shabir Bhatti.

The police sought the physical remand of eight protestors, including Mahrang Baloch. The police also asked for time for the identification parade of 25 protestors. The court ordered the release of 33 Baloch protestors on depositing bail bonds of Rs5,000 each.

On Wednesday night, the Islamabad police claimed to have arrested all 200 Baloch protestors, who had marched all the way from Turbat, Balochistan to Islamabad, against enforced disappearances and alleged extra-judicial killings.

The marchers were met with roadblocks and restrictions as they reached the outskirts of Islamabad. The capital police blocked entry points and major arteries, including Jinnah Avenue and Srinagar Highway, preventing the hundreds of protesters from reaching the National Press Club.