ISLAMABAD / QUETTA: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday strongly condemned a police raid at the Quetta Press Club (QPC), where candidates shortlisted under the SBK Testing Service for government school positions were detained. The arrests have fueled ongoing protests by candidates demanding their appointments as government teachers at SBK Women’s University.
Key Developments:
- Police Raid at Press Club: On Saturday, police entered the QPC and arrested representatives of protesting candidates who were set to hold a press conference.
- PTI’s Reaction: PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram denounced the raid, calling it an attack on press freedom and free speech. He termed it part of the ongoing “reign of terror” in the country.
- Protests Escalate: In response to the arrests, demonstrators blocked the Quetta-Karachi highway in Kalat, disrupting traffic and demanding the release of their detained colleagues.
PTI’s Stance & Demands:
- PTI reaffirmed its support for journalists and the arrested candidates, condemning the violation of press club sanctity.
- Akram urged authorities to stop using Section 144—a law restricting public gatherings—to suppress peaceful political activities.
- The party demanded accountability for those involved in the raid and called for the immediate release of detained protesters.
Highway Blockade & Protesters’ Grievances:
- The protesters claim they passed the selection test for teaching positions at SBK Women’s University but have faced delays in appointment.
- In protest, they placed barricades and boulders on the Quetta-Karachi highway, stranding buses, trucks, and other vehicles.
- Ijaz Khan, one of the candidates, vowed that demonstrations would continue until their demands—including the release of their leaders and issuance of appointment letters—are met.
Concerns Over Recruitment Process:
- Members of the Balochistan Assembly raised concerns over the university’s role in recruitment, arguing that SBK Women’s University lacked the expertise to conduct hiring tests and interviews.
- Lawmakers demanded that all appointments be handled by the Balochistan Public Service Commission (BPSC) to ensure transparency.
The situation in Quetta remains tense as protests grow amid accusations of government suppression. With PTI and local lawmakers raising concerns over both press freedom and the recruitment process, pressure mounts on authorities to resolve the crisis and address protesters’ demands.
