BYC Condemns Arrest of JKJAAC Leader
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has strongly condemned the arrest of Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir, describing it as part of what it calls Pakistan's ongoing crackdown on public and democratic movements. In a statement posted on X, the BYC said that Mir's detention is part of a broader campaign targeting leaders advocating for fundamental rights, economic justice, and political freedoms.
Allegations of State Repression
The BYC claimed that whenever people organise peaceful movements to seek their rights and a dignified life, the state responds with arrests, harassment, and coercive measures instead of negotiations. The organisation said Mir's arrest was an attempt to silence voices demanding rights, resources, and a better future for their communities. It argued that the move demonstrates the state's preference for force over a political solution to public grievances.
Parallels Between Balochistan and PoJK
Drawing parallels between Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) and Balochistan, the BYC alleged that activists and public leaders in both regions increasingly face state action for raising issues related to justice and civil liberties. The committee claimed that the arrests of movement leaders indicate that authorities fear growing public awareness, organised resistance, and collective political action.
The statement further asserted that repression, detentions, and retaliatory actions cannot weaken public political consciousness or halt movements seeking justice and freedom. Instead, the BYC described such measures as evidence of what it termed the ruling establishment's political failure and inability to address public concerns through democratic means.
Solidarity with Shaukat Nawaz Mir
Expressing solidarity with Shaukat Nawaz Mir and the ongoing rights movement in PoJK, the BYC said policies aimed at suppressing public mobilisation undermine democratic values and contribute to political instability, distrust, and alleged human rights violations. The committee also criticised the JKJAAC's designation as an unlawful organisation and the arrests of its leaders.
The BYC's statement comes amid heightened tensions in PoJK and Balochistan, where rights groups have repeatedly accused Pakistani authorities of using arrests to stifle dissent. The JKJAAC has been at the forefront of protests demanding greater autonomy and economic rights for the region.
