The Quetta martyred policemen sit-in, staged by the families of seven fallen officers at Koyila Phatak, came to a close on Saturday after nine consecutive days of protest. The demonstration, which included the bodies of the slain policemen, ended once negotiations with the Balochistan government produced a formal agreement.
Following the dispersal of protestors, authorities began transporting the martyrs’ bodies to Ziarat in a convoy of ambulances. Shahid Rind, Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information and Political Affairs, confirmed that special logistical arrangements had been put in place for the journey.
Security Measures and Government Response
Rind said security along the entire ambulance route to Ziarat had been reinforced to rule out any disturbance during transit. He added that the provincial administration had already begun acting on the commitments made during talks with the protestors.
Describing the sacrifices of the seven policemen as a source of national pride, Rind said the Balochistan government fully shares the grief of the bereaved families. He assured that every possible measure would be taken to address their concerns and demands.
Key Terms of the Agreement
The settlement between the Balochistan government and the protesting families covers eight major points. Chief among them is the formation of a judicial commission to investigate recent terrorism incidents in the province, with the government set to formally request this through a letter to the Balochistan High Court.
The agreement also commits the administration to firm action against those responsible for destabilizing peace in the region, backed by a high-level committee headed by Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti. Other provisions include consultations on reviving the Levies force or merging it into the police, and an all-parties conference to be convened within 15 days.
Additional measures include equipping police with modern weaponry, reviewing disputed land allotments tied to Ziarat and the Mangi Dam project, and cancelling any allotments found to be illegal.
Compensation and Recognition for Martyrs’ Families
As part of the deal, families of the martyred policemen will receive financial compensation, with the government also pledging to fund their children’s education and offer them employment upon reaching adulthood. In a further gesture of recognition, several public buildings, checkpoints, and key installations will be named in honor of the slain officers.
With the Quetta martyred policemen sit-in now resolved, attention shifts to how quickly the Balochistan government follows through on its commitments, an outcome that will likely shape public trust in future negotiations of this kind.