On Tuesday, the Chaman city police took into custody at least 20 individuals who were engaged in a sit-in protest outside a passport office, opposing the recent implementation of a one-document regime. The demonstrators’ objection centered around the government’s decision to enforce a singular-document policy for international border crossings.
In response to the disruption caused by the sit-in, Jan Achakzai, the caretaker Information Minister of Balochistan, firmly stated that the requirement for a passport is a sovereign decision, and the execution of the passport policy will proceed without impediment.
Among the arrested individuals was Sadiq Achakzai, the spokesperson for the sit-in, while the Chaman Parlat committee announced a shutter-down strike in protest against the administration’s actions.
The Information Minister assured that legal measures would be taken against those resorting to vigilantism and emphasized ongoing efforts to engage local elders in addressing the concerns of the protesters.
He clarified that while protesters were granted the opportunity to voice their grievances in recent months, the administration intervened when they transgressed the bounds of the law.
Simultaneously, protesters obstructed Kozak Top (Khojak Pass), leading to the deployment of a sizable contingent of FC Force to maintain control over the situation.
The unfolding events underscore the delicate balance between citizens’ right to protest and the state’s responsibility to enforce and uphold its decisions, especially in matters as crucial as border security and document regulations.
