Baloch towns observe shutdown strike over student leader's arrest

Quetta (Pakistan), Dec.13 (ANI): Several towns in the Pakistan province of Balochistan observed a shutter-down strike on Sunday in protest against the arrest of Balochistan Student Organisation (BSO) leader Abdul Qayyum in Gwadar.

The coastal townships of Gwadar, Pasni, Jiwani and Ormara observed a shutdown, reports the Daily Times.

The protesters termed Qayyum's arrest as arbitrary. A large number of women and students participated in the demonstration.

The Balochistan National Party, the National Party and other political parties joined the demonstrations.

The residence of provincial minister for fisheries remained under siege by the protesters.

Qayyum's brother Dad Bakhsh has filed a case with the Gwadar police station against Frontier Corps (FC) personnel for his kidnap.

The Frontier Corps had categorically denied the allegations that it carried out raids and kidnap people and termed it baseless propaganda. Frontier Corps Major General Obaidullah Khan said police would arrest any person involved in any criminal or anti-state activity. (ANI)