Pakistan: Baloch activists likely to continue staging nationwide protest campaign through at least early January /update 1

Baloch activists affiliated with several organizations will likely continue their ongoing series of sporadic protest campaigns in Pakistan through at least early January. The purpose of the action is to demand several concessions and denounce the government's alleged shortcomings in addressing human rights issues within their community. As of Jan. 4, demonstrators are staging a sit-in protest outside Islamabad's National Press Club and have held demonstrations in other locations, including parts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Karachi. Organizers have reportedly threatened to rally outside United Nations (UN) offices if their demands remain unmet.

Additional demonstrations of varying types, including shutdown strikes, are almost certain 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 likely occur in major urban centers, such as Islamabad and Balochistan Province.

Authorities will almost probably monitor any gatherings that materialize and may move to disperse overly disruptive crowds. Officials may conduct mass arrests if there is non-compliance among protesters; reports indicate security personnel temporarily detained an estimated 300 activists in late December. Clashes 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.