Syed Ali Shah: Quetta, September 9 — The Balochistan government on Tuesday evening released 225 political workers who had been arrested during recent protests across the province. The decision followed successful negotiations between government representatives and opposition parties in Quetta.
Officials said the detainees were initially held for allegedly throwing stones at vehicles and pressuring traders to observe a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike. However, after hours of dialogue, the provincial government ordered their release and announced that all cases registered against opposition workers across Balochistan would be withdrawn.
The talks were held at the Commissioner’s Office Quetta on the directives of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti. The government side was represented by provincial ministers Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, and Bakht Muhammad Kakar, with Zamarak Khan Achakzai acting as mediator.
The opposition’s delegation included senior leaders from multiple parties: BNP’s Advocate Sajid Khan Tareen, Akhtar Hussain Langov, and Agha Hassan Baloch; PkMAP’s Taleemend Khan, Majeed Khan Achakzai, and Kabir Khan Afghan; National Party’s Chairman Aslam Baloch and Changaiz Hayee Baloch; ANP’s Asghar Khan Achakzai, Rasheed Khan Nasir, and Walidad Miyani; PTI’s Advocate Salam Agha and Malik Faisal Dehwar; Jamaat-e-Islami’s Zahid Akhtar Baloch and Jamil Ahmed Mashwani; and MWM’s Maulana Wilayat Hussain and Muhammad Younus.
As part of the agreement, opposition parties pledged to coordinate with district administrations and ensure that rallies and demonstrations would be organized under agreed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). They further assured that no violent acts or damage to public property would occur during future protests.
Commissioner Quetta Division Shahzeb Khan Kakar and Deputy Commissioner Captain (R) Mehar Ullah Badini were also present during the meeting.
The breakthrough is seen as a step toward easing political tensions in Balochistan, where protests had escalated in the wake of recent violence.
