Pakistan: Baloch activists likely to continue staging nationwide protest campaign through at least early February /update 3

Baloch activists will likely continue daily protests in Pakistan through at least early February over alleged human rights abuses by security forces. On Jan. 23, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee's (BYC) main event involving an indefinite sit-in of a few hundred demonstrators outside Islamabad's National Press Club (NPC) was called off. The protest lasted for 30 days and was suspended after the NPC sent a request to Islamabad police to disperse the crowd. As of Jan. 23, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has allegedly reported they will do a rally in Quetta on Jan. 27. Additional protests are probable in the coming days. Previous similar demonstrations have occurred in Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Karachi; events have passed off peacefully.

Additional demonstrations of varying types, including shutdown strikes, are likely to occur over the coming days; activists previously organized a nationwide shutdown strike on Jan. 3. Potential gathering sites include prominent government buildings, public squares, sports grounds, press clubs, and thoroughfares. While participation will vary by locale, well-attended rallies will probably occur in major urban centers, such as Islamabad and Balochistan Province.

Authorities will likely monitor any gatherings that materialize and may move to disperse overly disruptive crowds. Officials may conduct mass arrests if there is non-compliance among protestersClashes between police and demonstrators, as well as between groups of opposing sociopolitical groups, cannot be ruled out. Associated localized transport and business disruptions are likely during large protests. Officials may impose temporary and localized curbs on telecommunication services such as social media sites, messaging platforms, and/or mobile internet services to prevent or control any mass gatherings.