By Staff Reporter
QUETTA: A breakthrough was announced in talks between the Pakistani government and protesters in the port city of Gwadar on Wednesday, potentially ending days of tensions and blockades.
Assistant Commissioner Jawad Zehri said the government agreed to release protesters from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and restore mobile phone services and remove road blockades, while the BYC agreed to call off their sit-in, Dawn newspaper reported..
The talks, facilitated by the National Party, Jamaat-i-Islami, and Balochistan National Party, were held at the DC House in Gwadar between Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langove and BYC leader Mahrang Baloch.
Protests and roadblocks had continued across the province, with clashes reported between police and protesters in Gwadar. The city has been under a communications and road blockade, with no internet connectivity.
The BYC has demanded the release of missing persons, among other issues. The government’s concessions may ease tensions in the region.
MPA Hidayatur Rehman, leader of the Gwadar Haq Do Tehreek, had warned he would join the protest if the government did not take tangible measures to break the impasse.
He reported a curfew in Gwadar, with nobody allowed to leave or enter the city.
BYC sit-ins and roadblocks continued in various areas of the province, closing highways and roads linking Balochistan with other parts of the country.
In Quetta, the Red Zone was sealed due to a BYC rally, with protesters marching and staging a sit-in at Assembly Chowk.
BYC leaders warned they would shut down Quetta and the province if their comrades were not released. They urged mainstream media to report on the situation in Balochistan, threatening a boycott if ignored.
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