In Focus
BYC arrests and sit-ins: Mengal refuses to back down, Sindh Government ends Sammi Deen Baloch’s detention
Abhiruchi Chowdhury
On 1 April, a three-member team representing the Balochistan provincial government, including Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Muhammad Kakar, and Sardar Noor Ahmed Bangulzai, held discussions with the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) head Sardar Akhtar Mengal. After the conclusion of the discussion, Mengal informed the people that both sides had not been able to reach an agreement. He said: “There has been no breakthrough as of yet and nor have negotiations been successful but talks are ongoing.” Akhtar Mengal also dismissed speculations that the government has agreed to free some of the demonstrators. The acting President of BNP-M, Sajid Tareen informed that protests will not be called off unless all the women protesters are freed, including Dr Mahrang Baloch.
Separately, The News International reported that Sammi Deen Baloch who was arrested while leading a demonstration in Karachi to protest against the detention of Dr Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders has been ticked off from the detention order “under section 3 of the Sindh Maintenance of Public Order (3 MPO) with 'immediate effect'.” In this regard, on 1 April, the Sindh Home Department sent out a communique in which it instructed the “jail authorities” to free Sammi Deen Baloch if she is not charged with any other offenses.
On 31 March, an opinion in Dawn titled “Towards resolution” discussed how the formulation of a “truth commission” to look into the underlying causes that have led to the eruption of “militancy and anti-state violence” will not be successful in Balochistan. The author, Huma Yusuf pointed out how the Pakistani state ignores the fact that “legitimate” demands do result in militant behavior. The state is however vocal about how legitimate demands lead to militancy when the problem exists outside the country. Truth commissions are formulated when there is a need to bring out the truth in front of the nation if there are reports of extreme “human rights violation” in a “conflict” or a dictatorial regime. Truth commissions do lead to policy corrections and in the context of Balochistan, PPP and PML-N have backed the formulation of commission. The author, however, argued that truth commissions are only successful when the conflict has ended or the dictatorial regime is no longer in power. In the context of Balochistan, conflict continues to exist. The author also pointed out how the Pakistani state has initiated a clampdown to detain any individual whose demands align with the demands of the Balochistan Liberation Army. The author pointed out how the state has not even spared the peaceful demonstrators of the Baloch Yakjheti Committee. The author mentions how Sardar Akhtar Mengal continually cautioned the state that clampdowns like such would lead to a surge in radicalization. The author further argued that the current federal government lacks “public trust” which is essential before it decides to establish a “truth commission.” The author highlighted how the incumbent federal government has attempted to suppress the voice of dissenters. In such a political environment, the author contended that the truth commission would fail to bring out the truth.
References
Abdullah Zehri, “‘No breakthrough’ in talks with govt as BNP march marks 5th day,” Dawn, 1 April 2025
“BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch's name removed from MPO,” The News International, 1 April 2025
Huma Yusuf, “Towards resolution,” Dawn, 31 March 2025
In Brief
EXTERNAL
PM Sharif directs 70-ton aid to Myanmar quake victims
On 1 April, The Express Tribune reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to send relief supplies to Myanmar’s earthquake survivors. The first aid batch consists of 35 tons of essential goods including tents, food, water, and medicines among others. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Faisal Chaudhry announced that the government plans to send a total of 70 tons of aid, expressing solidarity with the people of Myanmar. (“Pakistan dispatches first batch of aid for Myanmar quake survivors,” The Express Tribune, 1 April 2025)
Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka stock exchanges enter tripartite agreement
On 1 April, a press release from the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) announced an agreement signed with the Pakistan Stock Exchange and the Colombo Stock Exchange to boost cooperation among the three. This agreement aims to foster technology development and sharing, human resource collaboration, investor protection, and data exchange across bourses. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Chairman Akif Saeed expressed how “mutual experience-sharing and joint investments in technology” of the stock markets will enable the development of “strong and efficient capital markets in their respective countries.” As a part of the occasion, a panel discussion titled “Navigating Frontier Capital Markets: How Evolving Market Regulation and Exchanges Foster Efficient Capital Market Development” was organized. While attending the event, DSE Chairman, Mominul Islam highlighted the “technological and operational constraints” of “South Asian stock exchanges —except for India” and the importance of overcoming them to unlock the immense potential of the markets. (“Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka sign deal to strengthen capital markets,” Dawn, 1 April 2025)
Malaysian PM lauds Pakistani investments after call with PM Sharif
On 1 April, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed more investments, especially in agriculture, petrochemical, and biomass industries, from Pakistan. In a Facebook post, PM Ibrahim indicated a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif where they mutually expressed commitment to strengthen bilateral ties. He also announced PM Sharif’s first upcoming visit to Malaysia in May. He and his counterpart also “exchanged views and coordinated efforts to support Gaza’s reconstruction and end the violence against Palestinians.” (“Pakistan’s investments in Malaysia now at $397m, says Malaysian PM after call with PM Shehbaz,” Dawn, 1 April 2025)
AF-PAK
Government extends Afghan repatriation deadline
On 1 April, an official government notification revealed that the deadline to repatriate Afghan nationals from Pakistan has been extended to the next week on account of Eid holidays. According to UN estimates, around 800,000 Afghans with Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) will be deported once the new deadline concludes. Besides, among the three million Afghans residing in Pakistan, more than 1.3 million holding Proof Registration (PoR) cards issued by the UN refugee agency will be relocated from Islamabad to Rawalpindi. These initiatives come amidst escalated tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. In response, the Taliban government has reiterated the “dignified” return of Afghan refugees. The interim government’s Prime Minister, Hassan Akhund urged Pakistan to not forcibly remove Afghans. Instead, “Afghans should be supported and provided with facilities” for voluntary return. Additionally, Afghan Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, Mawlavi Abdul Kabir urged Pakistan and Iran to stop the removal. Bakthar news agency quoted him emphasizing humane treatment of refugees in light of mistreatment of Afghans by border countries, “including instances where individuals holding legal visas were also deported.” (“Pakistan delays Afghan deportation deadline due to Eid holidays,” The Express Tribune, 1 April 2025; Tahir Khan, “Afghan Taliban govt urges Pakistan not to start deportation of refugees as deadline expires,” Dawn, 1 April 2025)
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"When you don't stop evil, it spreads in society, and if you don't stand against it, no one else will come and save you. The nation stands against evil."
Founder Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan
- PTI Islamabad
Pakistan's development is linked to the development of Sindh province
- Shehbaz Digital Media
"Everyone knows the bad conditions in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but the cunning of this government is visible. They consider the solution to every problem to be restrictions on meeting Imran Khan."
- PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
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"Pakistan’s foreign service has long needed reform to be able to adapt to global changes and leverage opportunities in a more multipolar world."
- An opinion in Dawn, 'First line of defence.’
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