Mohsin Dawar detained and sent back to Isb amid border protest

QUETTA: In a recent development, Chairman of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) and former National Assembly member Mohsin Dawar was apprehended by law enforcement agencies in Quetta. His detention was followed by being sent back to Islamabad on Thursday, as reported by Dawn.com.

As per the media reports, party sources revealed that Mohsin Dawar had arrived in Quetta and intended to proceed to Chaman to show solidarity with protesters engaged in a three-week sit-in against the newly announced border-crossing laws by the national apex committee.

The regulations mandate passports and valid visas for all Pakistani and Afghan citizens crossing the Pak-Afghan border.

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The decision has faced resistance from trader organisations and some political parties, advocating for a return to the previous system, allowing border crossings with Pakistani CNIC and the Afghan government’s Tazkira.

Despite these demands, the federal government remains steadfast in enforcing the passport and visa requirement for border crossings to and from Afghanistan.

The reports indicate that the authorities reportedly prevented Dawar from entering Chaman and redirected him to Quetta. He was subsequently detained at the residence of NDM Secretary General Muzammil Shah in Quetta under tight security.

On Thursday morning, Dawar was escorted to Quetta airport and flown to Islamabad via a private airline, emphasising the heightened security measures surrounding the situation.