Prominent Pakistani author Hanif Mohammad returns 'Sitara e Imtiaz' to protest action taken by authorities against Balochistan march participants

"In protest, returning my Sitara e Imtiaz, given to me by a state that continues to abduct and torture Baloch citizens. Journalists of my generation have seen @SammiBaluch  and @MahrangBaloch_

grow up in protest camps. Ashamed to witness a new generation being denied basic dignity," he posted on X.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Police on Monday said bail of all detained Baloch protesters, who were taken into custody during a demonstration demanding an end to enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings, have been approved.

Police said they have been released.

The development occurred just a day after the Baloch Yakjehti Committee gave authorities three-day ultimatum to quash cases registered against students and activists and ensure their release.

Earlier, the long march started from Turbat on December 6 after the alleged “extra-judicial killing” of a Baloch youth by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials and reached Islamabad on Wednesday when police allegedly used brutal force to disperse and detain the agitators.

The action was strongly condemned by human rights organisations, politicians, the Islamabad High Court (IHC), President Dr Arif Alvi and caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and analysts, reported Dawn News.

Meanwhile, Baloch Yakjahti Committee - Kech on Sunday claimed 250 students and activists are still in custody.

"The movement against Baloch Genocide and extra-judicial abductions of Baloch continues in the form of a sit-in at National Press Club, Islamabad after a long march from Turbat to Islamabad and continuous torture and harassment by Islamabad Police at the entrance of Capital Territory," the committee posted on X.

"Nearly 250 of our students and activists are still in custody of Islamabad Police but our courage and hopes are high and this struggle Shall continue till Baloch Genocide ends," read the post further.

Mahrang Baloch, one of the long march organisers,  said the status of 100 students is 'missing' and they have not been produced before any court.

Baloch posted on X: "Out of 250 students, 100+ student’s status is missing they are not presented in any court, if the students are not released & FIRs against peaceful protestors are not withdrawn then the long march will be compelled to take harsh steps and the state will be responsible for this."