Pakistan: Baloch activists likely to continue staging nationwide protest campaign through at least late January /update 2

Baloch activists and other like-minded groups will likely continue their ongoing series of sporadic protest campaigns in Pakistan through at least late January. The purpose of the action is to demand several concessions and denounce the government's alleged shortcomings in addressing human rights issues within the Baloch community. As of Jan. 10, demonstrators are staging a sit-in protest outside Islamabad's National Press Club and have held demonstrations in other locations, including parts of Balochistan Province. Previous similar demonstrations have occurred in 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 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 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.