The launch of the Baloch National Gathering was announced by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee through a video press release on July 6….reports Asian Lite News
Balochistan prepares for the July 28 Baloch National Gathering, a widespread protest across the region and Pakistan against Baloch genocide and resource exploitation by Pakistan and China.
Mahrang Baloch, a prominent Baloch activist and organizer of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, expressed on social media: “Imperial megaprojects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Balochistan are instrumental in supporting state actions that amount to Baloch genocide. These projects, ostensibly for development, exploit the Baloch people and facilitate state repression.”
She continued, “The Baloch Raaji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering) will not only oppose Baloch genocide and advocate for the survival of the Baloch nation but will also serve as a historic referendum. This event will declare that the Baloch Nation will not tolerate annihilation and genocide under any circumstances.”
The hashtag #BalochNationalGathering is gaining traction on social media platforms.
In Karachi, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee Karachi Zone held a corner meeting in the Fakeer Colony to raise awareness about the upcoming Baloch National Gathering.
“The unity of the Baloch people is pivotal to ending the Baloch genocide. Join our Balochi Raji Muchi on July 28th in Gwadar,” BYC said.
The launch of the Baloch National Gathering was announced by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee through a video press release on July 6.
📢 Announcement: Date and Location of #BalochNationalGathering Organized by BYC@MahrangBaloch_ , organizer, will reveal details via a Video Press Release on the BYC Official ▶️ YouTube Channel today at ⏰ 5:00 PM.
— Baloch Yakjehti Committee (@BalochYakjehtiC) July 6, 2024
In her video statement, Mahrang Baloch reiterated, “Last year, a massive long march was organized from Turbat to Islamabad, culminating in a significant protest at the National Press Club in Islamabad. Despite these efforts, the Baloch genocide persists.”
“Pakistan shows no inclination to stop this atrocity. Every year, from Gwadar to Shall, from Koh-e-Sulaiman to Karachi, our youth are forcibly disappeared, tortured, and their mutilated bodies discarded. Baloch individuals face targeted attacks,” she lamented, emphasizing that the Baloch genocide encompasses more than just abductions and killings of Baloch youth. (ANI)
The protest has now gained significant attention through the participation of several Baloch rights organisations….reports Asian Lite News
The sit-in organised in front of the Quetta Press Club to demand the safe return of forcibly abducted Zaheer Baloch entered its third day on Thursday, The Balochistan Post (TBP), a local news source from Balochistan reported.
The victim’s family demonstrated at the Sariab area of Quetta by blocking the road. However, the protest has now gained significant attention through the participation of several Baloch rights organisations.
Leader of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) Agha Zubair Shah and other PTM members visited the protest location. Shah among these leaders was arrested a few days ago and was released on Wednesday night.
According to The Balochistan Post report Zaheer was abducted from Quetta by the Pakistani forces. At a press conference held in Quetta last Friday, Zaheer’s wife pleaded for his immediate and safe recovery. She also issued a warning to hold large-scale demonstrations in support of missing people in Balochistan alongside the regional organisations.
Previously, a demonstration calling for Zaheer’s safe release was staged in Quetta. Leading the demonstration was well-known Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). The demonstrations also witnessed the participation of Quetta locals, kin of those who have gone missing.
The Balochistan Post report claimed that the negotiations between Zaheer’s family and the local administration had failed, which as a result triggered a continuous sit-in protest from the kin of the missing individuals.
The demonstrators have also demanded that Zaheer Ahmed be brought before the court and an FIR must be filed against the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) for his forced disappearance.
Zaheer Baloch’s wife, speaking to the media on Thursday, said her husband has been missing since June 27 and that they have been protesting for the past three days with no response from the authorities, the TBP report claimed. (ANI)
Forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings carried out by an authoritarian regime have severely impacted the Baloch community….reports Asian Lite News
Balochistan, a region of significant geopolitical importance, has been entangled in a complex and long conflict.
Under the stringent control of a military regime led by Pakistan and its intelligence services, the inhabitants of Balochistan are suffering immensely.
Forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings carried out by an authoritarian regime have severely impacted the Baloch community.
Historical Context
The current situation in Balochistan has a historical context. Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan by land area, is endowed with abundant natural resources but remains one of the most underdeveloped regions in the country.
The origins of the ongoing conflict date back to the partition of India in 1947 when Baloch leaders sought independence.
However, the region was forcefully annexed by Pakistan in 1948, leading to widespread resentment and the rise of nationalist movements. Over the last seven-and-a-half decades, Balochistan has witnessed several insurgencies, each driven by demands for greater autonomy, control over local resources, and recognition of Baloch identity.
Extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances continue in Balochistan: rights body(IN)
Pakistan as a state has predominantly responded militarily. Its handling of Baloch affairs has been marked by brutal repression to suppress any kind of dissent. This approach has created an atmosphere of perpetual tension and mistrust between the Baloch populace and the federal government.
Role of the military and intelligence agencies
The Pakistani military and intelligence agencies play a central role in this conflict in Balochistan. The area is heavily militarised, with a strong presence of the army and paramilitary forces.
These forces are accused of severe human rights violations, including forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture.
Forced disappearances have notably become a primary tactic in the state’s effort to suppress Baloch nationalism.
Individuals such as activists, students, and ordinary citizens suspected of separatist leanings are often abducted in utter disregard to laws and human rights. Human rights organisations estimate that thousands of Baloch have been subjected to these enforced disappearances, fostering a climate of fear and uncertainty.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan documented more than 1,000 cases of such disappearances in Balochistan from 2014 to 2018. Bodies of missing Baloch people are often found dumped in remote areas of Pakistan with visible signs of torture and trauma.
Such instances of extrajudicial killings are severe human rights violations, carried out to intimidate and silence dissent within the Baloch community.
Despite repeated condemnations from global human rights organisations, these practices continue unabated in Balochistan.
The abundance of natural resources in Balochistan such as natural gas, minerals, and fisheries should have brought prosperity here. However, the reality is vastly different.
The province remains impoverished, with limited access to essential services like healthcare, education, and clean water.
This economic marginalisation has fueled grievances among the Baloch, who can see that their resources are being exploited for the benefit of other regions and the Central government.
There is hardly any reinvestment for their development.
The construction of the Gwadar Port, a key project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aptly explains the paradox of development in Balochistan.
Although promoted as a transformative initiative for the regional economy, the project has largely excluded local participation and benefits.
Land acquisition for the port and associated infrastructure has displaced thousands of Baloch families, strengthening their sense of disenfranchisement.
Reports indicate that local fishermen, who relied on Gwadar’s coastal waters for generations, have been severely impacted by restrictions on fishing activities and the environmental degradation due to the port’s construction.
Humanitarian crisis
The human cost of the conflict in Balochistan is immense. The unending cycle of violence, enforced disappearances, and killings has devastated numerous families and communities.
Women and children, in particular, suffer greatly, bearing the loss of loved ones and living in constant fear of violence.
Humanitarian organisations face significant challenges operating in Balochistan due to state-imposed censorship and safety concerns.
International attention to the crisis has been sporadic, and efforts to address human rights abuses have largely been ineffective.
Political landscape
Balochistan’s political landscape is marked by a fragmented and diverse array of actors, including nationalist parties, armed groups, and tribal leaders.
Some factions advocate for complete independence from Pakistan, while others seek greater autonomy within the federal framework.
Efforts to achieve a political solution have been hindered by deep-seated mistrust and the state’s reluctance to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders.
Sporadic attempts at reconciliation such as amnesty programmes for armed freedom fighters and promises of development projects have failed to address the core issues driving the conflict.
The Baloch leadership remains sceptical of the Pakistan government’s intentions, viewing such initiatives as superficial and insincere.
Data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal indicates that more than 2,000 people died in insurgency-related violence in Balochistan between 2010 and 2020, underscoring the persistent nature of the conflict.
The international dimension
Balochistan’s strategic importance and rich natural resources have garnered international attention, adding layers of complexity to the conflict.
Pakistan’s partnership with China, especially through the CPEC, highlights the global stakes in the region.
The international community’s response to the Balochistan issue has been inconsistent.
Although some human rights organisations and foreign governments have condemned the abuses, there has been limited action to put pressure on the Pakistan government to address the situation.
Geopolitical interests often overshadow human rights concerns, leaving the Baloch people with limited options on the global stage.
The conflict in Balochistan has been aggravated by the oppressive actions of Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies.
Their all-pervasive influence along with deliberate economic marginalisation and political fragmentation of the Baloch, has created a highly volatile situation inflicting grave suffering on the Baloch people.
Addressing this crisis requires a steadfast commitment to genuine dialogue, protection of human rights, and the implementation of development policies that prioritise the needs and aspirations of the Baloch population.
But the attitude of Pakistan’s establishment doesn’t inspire any hope.
The protest was organized during the commemoration of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture and the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking…reports Asian Lite News
The German chapter of the Baloch National Movement (BNM) organised a protest on Wednesday in Cologne, Germany to raise awareness about human rights violations in Balochistan, Pakistan.
The protest was organized during the commemoration of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture and the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Protestors during the protest displayed banners, held placards, displayed images of the victims of Baloch enforced disappeared persons, and vehemently condemned Pakistani atrocities for inflicting brutal atrocities upon the Baloch community.
BNM Germany Chapter President Shar Hasan, Vice President Safia Manzoor, Asif Baloch, Qasim Husain, Ahmed Baloch, Iman Baloch, Balach, and human rights activist Hudahair Baloch participated in the protest and addressed the public while emphasizing the dire situation in Balochistan and called for urgent and united international action towards justice for the victims of Pakistan’s atrocities.
The BNM statement called for an end to the extensive military operations in Balochistan by the Pakistani state, which have led to enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and systematic torture. They urged advocacy groups to continue raising awareness and pushing for action to support the rights of the Baloch nation.
Young activists who participated in the protest highlighted the severe impact of torture and rampant drug abuse on Balochistan’s youth. They stressed the urgent need to end these abuses and emphasized the importance of providing employment opportunities to prevent young people from falling into drug trafficking or substance abuse.
The BNM also called for an independent investigation into enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and atrocities committed against the Baloch nation by the Pakistani state.
A protestor during Germany’s BNM protest while referencing the Baloch long march of last year said “Pakistan has ushered a new era of violence in Balochistan. Today the situation in Balochistan has deteriorated so much that the relatives of the disappeared individuals are tormented. A striking example of this is, that in December 2023 the authorities in Islamabad used excessive force including tear gas and water cannons against peaceful protestors who participated in the Baloch long march which opposed the lasting oppression of the people’s rights and the issue of enforced disappearance. The authorities prevented the protestors from entering Islamabad, beating and arresting many of them including women. During the last two decades, Pakistan forcefully disappeared thousands of social activists, students and political activists from Balochistan and have supported torture of victims in Pakistani jails for years.” (ANI)
Baloch Women Forum released a statement on Tuesday raising concerns over the condition of women in Balochistan, highlighting state-inflicted genocide upon the Baloch community….reports Asian Lite News
Amid repressions, enforced disappearances, economic marginalisation, and severe restrictions on their freedoms, Baloch women are leading an unprecedented protest movement against Pakistan.
Baloch Women Forum released a statement on Tuesday raising concerns over the condition of women in Balochistan, highlighting state-inflicted genocide upon the Baloch community.
The statement mentioned, “Despite facing numerous socio-political challenges, women stand firm in their struggle for justice and the well-being of their families. These women often confront issues such as enforced disappearances, economic marginalisation, and severe restrictions on their freedoms.”
The forum lauded their activism, “driven by love and an unyielding spirit, involves organising protests, advocating for human rights, and raising awareness about the plight of their loved ones.”
The statement also emphasised that Balochistan has been witnessing severe scarcity when it comes to the distribution of essential services and basic amenities.
According to the statement by the Baloch Women Forum “Amid these struggles, the lack of adequate healthcare facilities compounds their suffering. In Balochistan, access to medical services, especially for severe illnesses like cancer, is grossly insufficient. Many women are forced to endure pain without proper diagnosis or treatment, travelling long distances to receive basic medical care. This dire situation highlights a critical need for improved healthcare infrastructure and services in the region.”
The same statement also informed that Hameeda Baloch, a prominent Baloch rights activist, has been admitted to Agha Khan Hospital in Lahore due to the detection of cancer and could not take proper medication in her homeland.
The statement said, “The plight of these women like Hameeda Baloch, who has been fighting and struggling against the issues in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances, now fighting against cancer in the Agha Khan Hospital, is a stark reminder of the intersection between political strife and public health crises.”
“Their stories are not just tales of personal suffering but also powerful calls for systemic change. We urge the world to recognise their endurance and join in their fight for a future where their rights and health are secured,” the Baloch Women Forum added. (ANI)
All the injured people have been shifted to a nearby hospital, with several of them in critical condition….reports Asian Lite News
One person was killed and 20 others were injured in twin blasts in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Thursday, police said.
The first blast happened when a truck loaded with coal hit a land mine in Dukki district of the province, while the second blast triggered by a remote-controlled device occurred when people gathered at the spot, police sources from the province told Xinhua.
The police sources said that several officials of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of police and mine workers were among the victims, adding that the CTD personnel rushed to the site to inspect the area after the first explosion, Xinhua news agency reported.
All the injured people have been shifted to a nearby hospital, with several of them in critical condition.
Following the incident, security forces cordoned off the area and kicked off a search operation.
No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was sworn in as the Balochistan CM on March 3….reports Asian Lite News
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the provincial cabinet will be finalised within the next two weeks, Dawn reported.
Bugti informed that a committee comprising representatives of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other parties was holding consultations for the formation of the provincial cabinet.
Speaking to media persons, Bugti said, “Asif Ali Zardari won with a significant majority in the Balochistan Assembly, with 47 votes, while Mahmood Khan Achakzai did not receive even a single vote.”
He called Zardari’s victory a result of his vision, bringing the 18th Amendment, introducing Aghaz-i-Haqooq Balochistan and his struggle for the development of the province, Dawn reported.
He added that Zardari would continue to struggle for Baloch people’s rights as he did before.
The chief minister said the President-elect will soon visit Balochistan and all the issues would be discussed with him.
“We will become a strong unit to represent the voice of Balochistan’s people and resolve all issues with sincerity,” Bugti added.
He said a series of dialogues with allies and non-allies on issues related to Balochistan had been going on for the past two weeks, proving, thereby, that the PPP can take everyone along.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was sworn in as the Balochistan CM on March 3.
PPP’s joint candidate with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Sarfraz Bugti, secured 41 votes during the Balochistan Assembly session, with the JUI-F and National Party abstaining from the CM election, according to ARY News. (ANI)
The organisation stated that the so-called development endeavours have “destroyed” the lives of local people and starkly exemplify the outcome of the state’s “Baloch Genocidal Policies.”…reports Asian Lite News
The multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) stood ‘exposed’ as the relief aid could not reach the flood-affected people in Gwadar despite tall claims made for the project.
Baloch rights organisation Baloch Yakjehti Committee in a social media post on X stated that while Gwadar is portrayed as a “beacon” of development and prosperity, it has instead become a symbol of “exploitation, despair, and suffering.”
“Today, BYC stands amidst the port city of #Gwadar, a central node in the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (#CPEC). While #Gwadar is portrayed as a beacon of development and prosperity, the stark reality is far grimmer. It has become a symbol of exploitation, despair, and suffering for its residents.
Furthermore, the organisation stated that the so-called development endeavours have “destroyed” the lives of local people and starkly exemplify the outcome of the state’s “Baloch Genocidal Policies.”
“For a decade now, purported developmental initiatives have unfolded here, yet the local populace continues to grapple with dire challenges. These apparent development endeavours have destroyed the lives of #Gwadar’s inhabitants. The recent devastating floods starkly exemplify the outcome of the state’s #BalochGenocidalPolicies, with these mega-projects serving as the principal catalysts exacerbating the flood,” it added.
In a video message shared along with the social media post, prominent Baloch leader Maharan Baloch said that billions worth of infrastructure is the reason for people’s sufferings.
“This is the so-called developed city of Pakistan, where the general public is harassed in the name of so-called development. This infrastructure which cost billions, is now the reason, for people’s suffering in floods. And because of these mega projects, we today witness major climate changes due to which the lives of people who have lived on this land for hundreds of years are now in danger,” Baloch said.
She further said that thousands of people have lost their homes and livelihoods and are suffering due to a shortage of food, clothes or any other necessary items.
“Instead of repairing what has been damaged already, they are exposing us to even more danger. We saw a lot of houses that were still submerged in water. If you look at the city, you may see the people helping each other willingly, but you will not see any of the authorities trying to help,” Baloch said.
She urged people to help the flood victims while slamming the authorities for not assisting them.
“We urge the people to support and help us as the people today here are living a shelter-less life. We ask people to reach out here and volunteer to help the ones in need. Additionally, we invite all the doctors and nurses of Balochistan to help us with treatment and help of these people,” Baloch said.
She added, “How long will you take to help us, the entire city has drowned and the people are now homeless. Is this the multibillion-dollar project that you had developed? No this city is destroyed because of your huge projects. You are the ones who have brought the people to live on roads, again.” (ANI)
Security personnel work at the blast site in Quetta, Pakistan, on March 2, 2022. (Photo by Asad/Xinhua/IANS)
Notably, women are actively participating in the protest, underscoring the widespread discontent among the people….reports Asian Lite News
Widespread protests persisted against alleged poll rigging in Quetta and other regions of Balochistan, marking a significant escalation in unrest, a media report said.
The four-party alliance comprising Baloch, Pashtun and Hazara nationalist parties has been on a sit-in outside the deputy commissioner’s office in Quetta, denouncing the purported election irregularities, The Express Tribune reported.
“We refuse to relent until our demands are addressed,” declared Haji Atta Muhammad Bangulzai, a prominent leader of the National Party (NP), who claims victory in a provincial Assembly seat from the Sariab Road Quetta constituency.
Notably, women are actively participating in the protest, underscoring the widespread discontent among the people.
The alliance, consisting of Balochistan National Party (Mengal), Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), National Party (NP), and Hazara Democratic Party (HDP), has issued ultimatums to the Election Commission of Pakistan and returning officers across the province, warning of intensified protests if their demands are not met, The Express Tribune reported.
The protests, going on since February 9, have brought Balochistan to a virtual standstill, as major highways remain blocked, underscoring the deep-seated frustration and discontent among the populace regarding the integrity of the electoral process, the report said.
On February 15, at least two persons were killed and around a dozen were injured during an exchange of fire between two rival political groups in the Hub city of Balochistan, as the police failed to bring the situation under control.
Pakistan rushes more troops to Balochistan as rights movement spreads wings.(Photo:IN)
The alliance leaders declared that their protest would continue until the actual results of the elected candidates were restored…reports Asian Lite News
Despite the reopening of national highways after six days of blockade, protest sit-ins and rallies continued across various regions of Balochistan, including the provincial capital Quetta, on February 15, against alleged election rigging, reported Dawn news.
“Our protest will continue against the alleged rigging, but we have opened highways considering the difficulties facing the people,” said the leader of a protesting party, adding that no roads are blocked now.
According to Dawn, reports indicate that workers and supporters of the Jamhoori Watan Party blocked the Quetta-Jacobabad highway late in the evening, placing barricades and boundaries on the road.
A joint protest rally assembled on February 15 in Quetta, led by four nationalist parties–Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Hazara Democratic Party, Balochistan National Party-Mengal, and National Party–expressed resentment against what they called depriving elected candidates of their victory through result changes.
Marching through the streets of Quetta, participants displayed party symbols, placards, and banners, voicing their demands Participants of the rally chanted slogans against the Election Commission of Pakistan and the caretaker government, alleging that the rigging plan was prepared before the elections, as per Dawn.
The alliance leaders declared that their protest would continue until the actual results of the elected candidates were restored, announcing plans for a wheel jam strike and other forms of demonstration in subsequent phases.
Workers and leaders of the PkMAP staged a sit-in outside the Provincial Election Commission office, temporarily halting traffic on Zarghoon road.
Protests were also reported in Dera Murad Jamali, Turbat, Panjgur, and Gwadar, although coastal and CPEC highways in Makran were reopened, facilitating traffic flow between Gwadar and Karachi.
Balochistan caretaker Minister for Information, Jan Achakzai, urged citizens to reject calls for disruption from candidates and parties who were unsuccessful in the recent elections.
Achakzai emphasised that creating chaos and blocking roads are not solutions to existing problems. He characterised such actions as attempts by “rejected individuals” to mask their disappointment with the electoral outcome.
He emphasized the need for peaceful protests without disrupting public life and advised those with genuine concerns to seek legal recourse rather than resorting to disruptive protests. (ANI)
