The Human Rights Council (HRC) of Pakistan has strongly criticized the Balochistan provincial government for its treatment of peaceful protesters, particularly government employees. The council denounced the government’s use of pressure tactics and harassment towards protesters demanding their personal details, including a Disparity Reduction Allowance. In response to a recent pen-down strike by the Grand Alliance of Balochistan government employees, the provincial government decided to take action against the participating employees.
The HRC of Pakistan emphasized that the government’s actions violate the constitutional rights of assembly and expression of opinion. It called for an immediate halt to any retaliatory measures against employees and urged the resolution of their legitimate demands within the constitutional framework. The rights body expressed solidarity with the protesting employees and rejected any undemocratic methods aimed at suppressing peaceful protests.
According to a statement by the Balochistan Grand Alliance General Secretary Ali Asghar Bangulzai, the protest by government employees has escalated due to the government’s perceived indifference and incompetence. The employees’ organizations affiliated with the Balochistan Grand Alliance planned a pen-down strike followed by a complete lockdown of government institutions in the province on December 30 and 31.
Government offices across Balochistan were non-operational on Monday as employees suspended work to advocate for their demands. The Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) of the Balochistan government reportedly requested details of all employees involved in the protest. In a formal communication to senior provincial officials, the S&GAD instructed departments to provide the names and designations of protesting employees to competent authorities promptly.
