Recently a scuffle between police and a group of women wearing burka and hijab went viral on social media. Sharing the video, users are claiming that 83000 women have been deported to Pakistan from Punjab.
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However, as we investigated, we came to know that the claim was false. The viral video is old and unrelated to the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan. Here’s the fact check.
Fact Check
We started our investigation by taking some screenshots from the viral video and conducting a reverse image search. This led us to a report published on a website on 30 December 2024 that contained an image similar to the screenshots from the viral video. The report was published from Lahore, Pakistan which read, “Police and security forces on Monday detained several protesters in a crackdown on a peaceful demonstration in Balochistan’s Hub district demanding the safe return home of a university graduate abducted from his home two days ago. The protesters were calling for the safe return of Zubair Baloch, a political science graduate of the Balochistan University, allegedly abducted from his home in Hub district on December 28.
According to the Balochistan Yakjheti Committee (BYC), police fired tear gas shells and ammunition to disperse the demonstration, and detained several protesters at Hub Chowki. The BYC said it was deeply concerned about the well-being of the peaceful protesters, most of whom were women, children, and elderly.
Abdullah Baloch, a member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, told Voicepk.net that the whereabouts of the detained protesters could not be ascertained. “Lawyers and relatives of the detained protesters have visited three police stations in Hub but the detained persons had not been brought there, raising concerns about their safety,” Baloch said.
Earlier, the Hub district administration had warned protesters about forcefully dispersing them if they did not end their demonstration.
The BYC said Zubair Baloch is a resident of Tijaban in Turbat district. Zubair had returned home to Hub Chowki during the holidays. However, armed men barged into his house at around 3 am on December 28. The intruders manhandled Zubair Baloch and took him away at gunpoint, the BYC claimed.
In response, Zubair Baloch’s family members staged demonstrations and roadblocks at Hoshap area of Turbat city in the Kech district and Hub Chowki. According to the BYC, protesters faced harassment at various locations in the Kech district with reports of security personnel snatching mobile phones to intimidate and suppress the voices of the protesters.
In a statement posted on its social media page, the BYC said it strongly condemned these inhumane and brutal practices against innocent men, women, and children. There was no official confirmation from the district administration about the number of protesters detained in the crackdown.”
We found a similar video on a Facebook page, uploaded on 30 December 2024, with the caption, “Today Hub Police along with Hub administration used violence upon protestors who were protesting peacefully for the safe release of Baloch Student Zubair Baloch. Protestors were subjected to Straight firing, shellings and beatings. Sit-in is still continued.
#ReleaseZubairBaloch
#StopBalochGenocide”
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee on their official X handle shared similar video clips on 30 December 2024. The tweet read, “Police and security forces have launched a severe crackdown on peaceful protesters at Hub Chowki. The police are using tear gas and live ammunition, and several protesters have been abducted. BYC is deeply concerned about the well-being of the peaceful protesters, including women, children, and elderly individuals.
This blatant and brutal oppression of peaceful protesters reflects the decades-long genocide of the Baloch nation. In this critical situation, we appeal to the Baloch nation to stand firm and resist, as the lives of thousands of our people are at risk.
BYC strongly condemns these inhumane and brutal practices against innocent men, women, and children.”
Other reports can be read here and here.
According to reports, Zubair Baloch has reunited with his family following the protest demonstrations demanding his safe return.
This makes it clear that the viral video is old. It shows a protest by the family members of Zubair Baloch, a young journalist and student, who was allegedly abducted by the Pakistani security forces in Hub Chowki, Balochistan.
Conclusion
From our investigation, we can say that the claim is false. The viral video is old and unrelated to the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan. The video shows a protest by the family members of Zubair Baloch, a young journalist and student, who was allegedly abducted by the Pakistani security forces in Hub Chowki, Balochistan.
Title:Old Video From Balochistan Going Viral As Muslim Women Being Deported To Pakistan From Punjab.
Fact Check By: Debanjana BaishyaResult: False
