In a remarkable political development, Quetta police arrested President Daud Shah Kakar, President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Balochistan, for disrupting public order. Senior Superintendent of Police Operations Quetta Muhammad Baloch confirmed that authorities had concerns regarding law and order in the region, leading to Daud Shah’s apprehension. In Balochistan, arrests occur when political activity is rising, and law enforcement agencies are on the red alert to avoid any law and order situation.
Arrested While Headed to Sibi Rally
Party sources informed that Daud Shah was on his way to Sibi to attend a PTI rally when the police intercepted him near the Sariab Custom area of Quetta. Before wasting much time, the police detained him and took him to Cantt Police Station in Quetta. The arrest has resulted in significant protests from PTI leaders and supporters who interpret it as an effort to stifle political space in the province.
The PTI leadership, who had already criticized such increasing control over political pursuits, could not hide their displeasure over the incident. According to them, Daud Shah was within his rights regarding a political rally, and his arrest was unjustified for a person playing politics. The degeneration of tolerance in Balochistan accompanies yet another arrest of a PTI leader, adding to the already long list of arrests on flimsy grounds.
Political Reactions and Tensions
PTI leaders have also denounced Daud Shah’s arrest, calling it a plot to undermine the party’s activities in the province. They believe that the government has resorted to using public safety issues as a cover to deal with the opposition and usher them from the masses. The arrest has provoked numerous parties demanding the release of the accused, with the parties in the center claiming that it is their responsibility to fight for Shah’s freedom.
There has been a very high political temperature in the province of Balochistan for some time due to intra-party fighting and the shrinking space of democratic activities. President Daud Shah arrest has also evidenced the systemic problems of opposition parties in the province, especially those willing to conduct political activities and protests.
Wider Ramifications in Balochistan
The present incident raises informative concerns, such as the role of law enforcement in political matters and the equilibrium between justifying law and order and respecting civil liberties. Balochistan is under great security concern, and the region’s governance structure is politically strained. The detention of an influential politician such as Daud Shah during such a time makes the struggle for attentiveness to governance and human rights even more paramount.
The political maneuvering behind Ms. Shireen Mazari’s arrest has succeeded. It remains to be seen how this will affect PTI’s presence and political tactics in Balochistan in the coming months, as many prime ministers of Pakistan have continually struggled against the current state of the country’s politics.
