Tag: Balochistan

Categories
-Top News Asia News Politics

Baloch Activists Wraps Up Islamabad Sit-In

Baloch people had been protesting in Islamabad since December 20, 2023 against enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings….reports Asian Lite News

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Tuesday announced ending their sit-in outside the National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad against enforced disappearances, Pakistan-based The News International reported.

Baloch people had been protesting in Islamabad since December 20, 2023 against enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings.

Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch said they will head back to Balochistan tomorrow with pain, suffering and anti-Baloch attitudes of Islamabad. She said, “We will hold a rally in Balochistan on January 27,” The News International reported.

In a post shared on X, Mahrang Baloch stated, “Tomorrow we are going back to Balochistan from Islamabad with pain, suffering and anti-Baloch attitudes of Islamabad. We will reach our land and convey the stories of Islamabad from the Singlakh mountains of Balochistan to the blue sea.”

“Now our morale and courage have increased, and we will now take this movement to the homes of Balochistan with our powerful morale. It is our promise to our people and the land that we will defeat this imperialist system from our land with the power of the people,” she added.

The development comes a day after NPC Islamabad registered a complaint with the Kohsar Police Station on Monday requesting to remove the Baloch protesters from the open park in front of the NPC.

Earlier in the day, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that it stands with the ongoing Baloch camp led by women against enforced disappearances. It said it is “deeply concerned” by efforts to uproot the Baloch camp.

In a post shared on X, HRCP stated, “HRCP stands in solidarity with the ongoing Baloch camp led by women against enforced disappearances that has faced persistent harassment from local law enforcement, as well as dismissal from government authorities.”

“We are also deeply concerned by efforts to uproot the camp–this violates not only the Islamabad High Court’s order that the camp remain undisturbed, but also the protestors’ right to peacefully assemble. The validity of the Baloch protestors’ demands cannot continue to be ignored, and must be heeded with the legitimacy it deserves, not with undue force or defamation,” it added.

In its complaint, the National Press Club’s administration said that it felt a security threat due to certain reasons, as many political and social personalities of national stature visit the NPC to participate in different functions, The News International reported.

The NPC administration said that the protesters’ sit-in had been going on for more than two months, causing financial loss as the people belonging to political and social sectors as they avoid holding press conferences and other political and social functions at the NPC, The News International reported.

Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch expressed dismay at the letter and stressed that the journalist and media community “have an obligation to stand with people whose voices are neglected,” Dawn reported.

“It is painful to see that even now, the Islamabad Press Club is uncomfortable with our staging a sit-in outside the press club, protesting against enforced disappearances. We understand why they are doing this. There is pressure on us, too, and through various means, we are being harassed and threatened, with the police circulating false information,’ she added.

Another organiser, Sammi Deen Baloch, said, “Earlier, our protests were not covered, but now the journalists are becoming a party and they are angry and disgusted with our protests.” Baloch further said,”I don’t need to tell you what journalistic responsibilities are, but I must say that if there are strong on one side and weak on the other side, then we should take care of the weak instead of the strong.”

Earlier in December, the Islamabad police launched a crackdown on Baloch protesters and dismantled their camps set up outside the National Press Club. Police arrested the majority of the Baloch protesters. The decision was criticised by several human rights activists, which led to the authorities releasing all Baloch protesters after a week-long detention. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Pakistan Rights Body Speaks Out Against Uprooting Baloch Camp

Categories
-Top News PAKISTAN

Tension brewing in Northern Front?

Pakistan rushes more troops to Balochistan as rights movement spreads wings.(Photo:IN)

Pakistan’s caretaker Foreign Minister tells Iranian counterpart that the January 16 attack conducted by Iran inside Pakistani territory was a serious breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty…reports Asian Lite News

The Pakistan Air Force on Thursday conducted retaliatory airstrikes on alleged Baloch separatist camps inside Iran, according to multiple media reports.

According to the reports, the retaliatory strikes by Pakistan Air Force targeted hideouts located inside Iranian territory of Baloch militants wanted by Pakistan.

The move comes a day after Tehran said it used “precision missile and drone strikes,” to destroy two “important headquarters” of Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) in Pakistan. Following this Islamabad denounced the violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty as “completely unacceptable” and warned of serious consequences.

Salman Masood, the editor of a Pakistan local daily and Pakistan correspondent of New York Times took to X on Wednesday to post, “Pakistan Air Force has conducted airstrikes on Baluch separatist camps inside Iran. The move comes a day after Iran claimed to have targeted militants inside Pakistani territory, a claim rejected by Pakistan, citing civilian casualties.”

Meanwhile, another Pakistani local daily also reported today that hideouts of Baloch militants wanted by Pakistan have been targeted in Iran.

On Wednesday, Pakistan’s caretaker Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian underscored that the January 16 attack conducted by Iran inside Pakistani territory was not only a serious breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty but was also an egregious violation of international law and the spirit of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran.

Expressing Pakistan’s unreserved condemnation of the attack, Jilani added that the incident has caused serious damage to bilateral ties between Pakistan and Iran.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul-Haq Kakar met the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, around the same time, the Iranian government announced targeting Jaish Al Adl basis inside Pakistan through drone and missile strikes.

Formed in 2012, Jaish al-Adl, designated as a “terrorist” organization by Iran, is a Sunni terrorist group that operates in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, Al Arabiya News reported.

Over the years, Jaish al-Adl has launched numerous attacks on Iranian security forces. In December, Jaish al-Adl took responsibility for an attack on a police station in Sistan-Balochistan that claimed the lives of at least 11 police personnel, according to Al Arabiya News reported.

Tuesday’s attacks on Pakistan comes after Iran launched missiles in northern Iraq and Syria on Monday. Iran’s foreign ministry on Tuesday defended the strikes by the Revolutionary Guards in Iraq and Syria, labelling them as a “precise and targeted” operation aimed at deterring security threats, CNN reported.

According to Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani, the strikes targeted a “terrorist headquarters” in Idlib, Syria, and a “Mossad-affiliated centre” in Erbil, Iraq. Kanaani emphasised the precision of the operation, stating that ballistic missiles were used to identify and strike the “headquarters of criminals.”

Pakistan Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani had a telephonic conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Wednesday and said that the airstrikes in Balochistan have caused serious damage to bilateral ties between the two countries, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official statement.

“Expressing Pakistan’s unreserved condemnation of the attack, the Foreign Minister added that the incident has caused serious damage to bilateral ties between Pakistan and Iran. The Foreign Minister added that Pakistan reserved the right to respond to this provocative act,” Foreign Minister Jilani said.

The Pakistani foreign minister also underscored that the attack conducted by Iran inside Pakistani territory on Tuesday was not only a serious breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty but was also an egregious violation of international law and the spirit of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran.

As per the official statement, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, who is currently leading the Pakistan delegation to the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Kampala, Uganda, received a telephone call from the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, today.

Accused of giving shelter to terrorist groups, Foreign Minister Jilani stressed that “Terrorism was a common threat to the region and required concerted and coordinated efforts to combat this menace. He also underlined that unilateral actions could seriously undermine regional peace and stability. No country in the region should tread this perilous path.”

Earlier, Iran attacked the headquarters of a terrorist group opposed to Tehran with drones and missiles inside Pakistan territory on late hours of Tuesday.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is “completely unacceptable” and warned of serious consequences. It further said that Iran has taken this action despite the existence of several channels of communication between the two nations.

“Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this illegal act and the responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran,” Baloch said, adding that Islamabad had conveyed the message to the Iranian government,” the foreign ministry spokesperson said. (ANI)

ALSO READ-EAM Jaishankar Heads to 19th NAM Summit in Uganda

Categories
-Top News World World News

Global Attention Peaks as Baloch Activists Meet UN Officials

The Baloch activists presented details of the human rights violations in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances…reports Asian Lite News

As the protest continues for over 50 days against the Baloch-enforced disappearances, Baloch activists Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch met with United Nations officials and discussed the ongoing human rights situation in Balochistan, as reported by the Balochistan Post.

The UN delegation included high-profile officials from the UN mission to Pakistan, Mio Sato, former Chief of the UN Mission and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Pakistan; Shah Nasir Khan, the UN’s Resident Coordinator Officer; and Mariam Shaikh, a communications advisor at the UN.

The Baloch activists presented details of the human rights violations in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the suppression of peaceful demonstrators advocating for Baloch rights.

They further highlighted threats faced by the Baloch protesters during protests and sit-ins, according to the Balochistan Post.

Further, the UN officials acknowledged the concerns raised by Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch.

The officials assured the activists that the issues would be discussed with the relevant departments within the UN for further action.

Notably, the meeting held between the UN officials and the Baloch activists was an initiative by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) to engage international bodies in addressing the human rights situation in Balochistan, the Balochistan Post reported.

Meanwhile, the BYC is advocating for the UN to dispatch a fact-finding mission to the region for an independent investigation into the reported violations.

Earlier on Sunday, the boy from Kohar village in the Tump region of Kech was allegedly detained by Pakistani forces at midnight, and his whereabouts have not been made public since.

Notably, the forced disappearances continue to occur in Balochistan on a daily basis, and to highlight that, the Baloch Yakjetti Committee (BYC) has been holding sit-ins against “Baloch genocide” and forced disappearances in Balochistan and Pakistan’s capital Islamabad for the past two months.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Saturday started a social media campaign #IStandWithBalochMarch to increase support for their movement throughout the world against enforced disappearances of the Baloch people.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the situation in Balochistan and bring together voices in support of justice, The Balochistan Post reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: UK Lawmakers Back Baloch Protesters In A Motion

Categories
-Top News Asia News UK News

UK Lawmakers Back Baloch Protesters In A Motion

People walk on Westminster Bridge in London. (Xinhua/Li Ying/IANS)

Labour MP John McDonnell tabled the motion on December 19, 2023.

Nine Members of Parliament (MP) across various parties from the UK Parliament have expressed support for a motion addressing the human rights situation in Balochistan, as reported by the Balochistan Post.

Labour MP John McDonnell tabled the motion on December 19, 2023.

It further appreciated the bravery of Baloch women, who are leading a march to Islamabad in protest against enforced disappearances, abductions, and killings associated with the operations of Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Balochistan.

Moreover, the motion, titled “Long March in Balochistan,” has received backing from various MPs.

Additionally, co-sponsors included former UK Shadow Minister of Defence Rachael Maskell, Jim Shannon from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Labour MPs Mary Kelly Foy and Nadia Whittome, and Alison Thewliss from the Scottish National Party (SNP), the Balochistan Post reported.

Meawhile, Chris Stephens from SNP, Apsana Begum from the Labour Party, and Independent MP Jonathan Edwards have also expressed additional support, demonstrating a bipartisan acknowledgement of the Balochistan issue.

John McDonnell MP

The motion called on the UK government to express its concerns about the violation of fundamental human rights in Balochistan and the violent attacks on Baloch protesters by the Islamabad police.

The cross-party support from Labour, SNP, and DUP proves to be a crucial step in drawing global attention to the Balochistan issue.

It further signified a rising global concern over the state’s reported response to the protests and the broader human rights situation in Balochistan.

Earlier today, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) said that the sit-in against the Baloch genocide continues for the 50th day and added that they have travelled from Turbat to Islamabad not only for the love of their loved ones but to put an end to “dehumanising genocidal policies of the State practised in Balochistan with brute force and violence.”

In a post shared on X, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee said they need the support of people from all backgrounds and regions to unite and stand against the “mighty forces of tyranny” and send a clear message that they are ready to sacrifice everything for the basic right to live and exist. The video and pictures shared by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee showed people participating in the sit-in being held outside the National Press Club in Islamabad.

They also appealed for international support, further claiming that a government-sponsored sit-in, which includes purported members of “state-sponsored death squads,” is opposing their demonstration. (ANI)

ALSO READ: ‘TTP Growing in Baloch Separatist Backyard’

Categories
-Top News Asia News Politics

‘TTP Growing in Baloch Separatist Backyard’

TTP announces shadow government as fighting with Pakistan intensifies(IN)

To weigh in on the Baloch- Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) equation amid the Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions, Mark Kinra speaks with Abdul Basit, a Research Fellow at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore….reports Asian Lite News

As AfPak simmers, there is considerable speculation that secular Baloch rebels and the anti-Pakistan Islamists under the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) banner maybe, for now, passively collaborating with each. To weigh in on the Baloch-TTP equation, and more, Mark Kinra spoke with Abdul Basit, a Research Fellow at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Basit specializes in issues of politics, violence, religious extremism, terrorism, and security in South Asia.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q) There has been a lot of speculation regarding growing convergence between the Baloch groups and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Do you think TTP is lending a helping hand to Baloch in some way or other?

A) This is one of those important but difficult questions to which circumstantial evidence can be presented as more concrete primary evidence is not there. For instance, TTP has been growing in the backyard of Baloch separatist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF). There have been groups from Balochistan who have joined TTP. So TTP has made a mark in Balochistan for sure.

Ideologically Baloch Separatists are very secular and TTP is a hardcore Islamist organization, which wants a theocratic state in Pakistan through armed struggle or what they believe is Jihad, while the goal of the Baloch separatists is to have a Baloch state. There is no similarity between these two broader movements. The only thing that brings them together is their animosity towards the Pakistani state, which is the common enemy. The other common factor between the two is that both are ethnic groups with some genuine grievances so they feel as oppressed ethnic groups at the periphery.

In fact, if you go through TTP’s propaganda, then it is logical for these two entities to combine their courses at some level. We have seen TTP continuously bromance and extend an olive branch to the Baloch separatists. In the past Baloch separatists were very vocal in condemning TTP and its agenda, but recently there has been this deafening silence from Baloch Separatists concerning the inroads of TTP into Balochistan, TTP’s outreach in its propaganda publications and this silence can be construed as their consent.

Pakistani Generals accuse Taliban govt of sheltering anti-Pakistan groups as 5 soldiers killed in attack.(photo:IN)

There is a lot that we need to analyse including that these groups are very turf-conscious. They do not allow anyone in their backyard and react very brutally. But Baloch separatists have not said a word, let alone react brutally or violently. Baloch Separatists have adopted suicide terrorism by learning this skill from TTP. . However, Baloch separatists denied this and stated that they had these capabilities even before they and did not learn from TTP. In any case, if you put all these points together their silence, organizational learning from TTP, operating in close vicinity, coexisting in the same conflict theatre, sharing weapons routes or networks, or getting money from similar people. It is very strange to assume that their paths haven’t crossed and circumstantially one can speculate that there is some form of cooperation there. I have got pushback from relevant people and my counter-response to them is whatever you tell me privately why don’t you share it publicly on your letterhead officially that will kill all the speculation, which is not to open another front and focus on separatist insurgency. I can only say that they don’t have to open a front to say that they do not cooperate which leads me to believe that some kind of bromance between them.

Q) On one side TTP is being shifted to Northern Afghanistan and on the other side TTP is increasing its footprints in Balochistan, with the latest wilayah being formed by merging in Southern Balochistan. How do you see these movements?

A) Relocation to northern Afghanistan has not been confirmed; no one has been shifted to be very honest but the proposal was discussed between Pakistan and the Taliban regime considering the tension between them. The proposal stated to move TTP away from the border as the casualty rate was getting high and was not sustainable so the Taliban relocated them from the border area but TTP were still there but not close to the border. Afghans have an identity card known as Tazkira which you can show and go anywhere. Recently Tazkiras have been cancelled and this system has been attached to the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), the Intel wing of the Taliban, so now they have to report to the GDI, earlier there were no restrictions. There are about 40-45,000 TTP along with their families and if Pakistan wants to relocate will have to provide money then only the Taliban might move them to Northern Afghanistan. Concerning Wilayah, it is on paper only; if such is the scenario, Baloch separatists will not have any issues with any such development considering it is more propaganda and less substance.

Q) Due to the rise in TTP’s influence in Balochistan, do you suspect any conflict between TTP and Baloch Separatists?

A) You cannot predict the future for a conflict theatre like Pakistan which is competitive, fluid and ever-evolving, currently, I do not foresee any conflict but I cannot rule out one. Balochistan has a diverse ethnic population of both Baloch and Pashtoons, most of TTP’s activities and attacks are in Pashtoon areas and not in Baloch areas, so if they are not encroaching into the Baloch areas, I think Baloch separatists are not very uncomfortable with TTP being there. There have been no instances of any inter-group fighting between the Baloch separatists and TTP but we have to wait and see what happens.

Q) Recently, a new militant group has emerged in Balochistan, Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP). Do you think it is an offshoot of Daesh or TTP? And why do you think such a group has emerged in Balochistan?

A) TJP is a front group of TTP, there were rebel elements within TTP who were hitting soft targets without taking permission from TTP. Attacking soft targets is a violation of TTP’s code of conduct. TTP created this front group which has Pakistani and Afghan elements plus Al Qaeda chipping its fighters making it an umbrella group where multiple groups are coordinating or cooperating or pulling in fighters. If you look at the attack pattern of TJP, most of the attacks have been carried out between Balochistan’s Pashtoon belt and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and are either suicide attacks or commando-style attacks like 26/11 of Mumbai.

When TJP was carrying out these suicide attacks, TTP did not carry out any major suicide attacks which drives one to say that TTP outsources its suicide operations to TJP and second TJP attacks looked like typical ISKP. Both ISKP and TJP claimed the same attacks but there was no conflict of claims between TTP and TJP. Recently, friction emerged because of which a lot of speculations were clarified between TTP and TJP, an attack was claimed by TJP but later TTP’s commander who belongs to Jamat ul Ahrar blew the cover by saying they attacked as revenge for the killing of their commander – Umar Khalid Khurasani, who was killed in Afghanistan last year.

The commander questioned why TTP’s central shura was not claiming the attack and rather attributing it to TJP or allowing a group like TJP to claim it, so TTP fired that commander and acknowledged that TJP is a brother jihadi organization. So, when you call someone a brother that means there are links. This is the first time the claim has been made. I think TJP was created so that TTP could carry out high-profile attacks along with a plausible deniability option in case the Taliban pressurizes them to stand down, they can put it on TJP which seems a smart move. Also if Al Qaeda becomes active in Pakistan then the international community’s concerns will grow because it’s a transnational group and if Al Qaeda finds space in Pakistan; carrying out attacks will not be seen as Pakistan under attack because Al Qaeda will be rebuilding its cross-national linkages but if you package Al Qaeda as TJP, then it will be worrisome more for Pakistan and less from an international standpoint. Under the Doha agreement, the Taliban are under obligation to stop Al Qaeda and other groups from using Afghan soil for attacks in other countries and if Al Qaeda is using Afghanistan for attacks in Pakistan, it’s a violation of the Doha Agreement. So TJP was this nice arrangement to couch all these groups, deflect the Taliban’s pressure, maintain plausible deniability and still get away with the attacks.

ALSO READ: SILENCING THE DISSIDENTS: The Pakistani plots under scrutiny

Categories
-Top News Asia News UK News

Baloch Family’s Protest at 10 Downing Street Over Abduction

The protest is aimed at drawing attention to the issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan….reports Asian Lite News

Taj Muhammad Sarparah’s family, whose Baloch businessman member was abducted by Pakistani intelligence agencies in Karachi, is staging a five-day sit-in protest camp outside the residence of the British Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street in London, as reported by the Balochistan Post.

The protest is aimed at drawing attention to the issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.

Taj Muhammad Sarparah’s wife, children, relatives, and Baloch political activists based in the UK are participating in the protest, scheduled to continue until January 7.

Salia Marri, the wife of the missing Taj Muhammad Sarparah and niece of Baloch national leader Baba Khair Bakhsh Marri, said that she has been actively working against the illegal detention and forced disappearance of her husband in Pakistan for the past four years. She expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of help from Pakistani authorities and the failure to present her husband before the court.

However, she did not get any satisfactory help from the authorities in Pakistan and her husband was also not presented before the court, Balochistan Post reported.

Marri further said that, being a Baloch citizen, she was subjected to forced disappearance by Pakistani state agencies.

Moreover, according to her, the purpose of the protest in front of the house of the British Prime Minister was to demand the British government play a role in stopping the Pakistani violence in Balochistan and ensuring the recovery of the missing persons in Balochistan.

Reportedly, Sarparah has appealed to Baloch political activists, other human rights members and the London media to participate in this sit-in protest.

She further urged them to be their voice for the recovery of Taj Muhammad Sarparah and thousands of other Baloch missing persons, as reported by Balochistan Post.

The announcement of a sit-in came after ongoing protests against the Baloch genocide and enforced disappearances at the National Press Club of Islamabad.

Serving them an ultimatum, the Baloch Yakjahti Committee-Kech stressed that during this week, the state needs to clarify to the Baloch people how serious they are about addressing the issue of the Baloch genocide.

“It must be practically proven that all forms of human rights violations, including forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and illegal actions, immediately cease in Balochistan,” the committee stated further. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Debt Crisis Deepens in Pakistan

ALSO READ: Pakistan Repatriates Over 500,000 Afghan Immigrants

Categories
-Top News Asia News UK News

London Sit-In Targets Balochistan Disappearances

Extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances continue in Balochistan: rights body(IN)

Salia Marri, the niece of Baloch national leader Baba Khair Bakhsh Marri urged all political parties and social and human rights activists to join the protest….reports Asian Lite News


In an effort to strengthen the collective voice of dissent against purported enforced disappearances and human rights abuses in Balochistan, Salia Marri, the niece of Baloch national leader Baba Khair Bakhsh Marri, declared a five-day protest in London scheduled from January 3 to 7.

Marri, the wife of Baloch nationalist Mir Taj Muhammad Sarparah who is alleged to be among those to have disappeared, said she will lead the sit-in protest for the safe release of her husband and other missing persons.

She urged all political parties and social and human rights activists to join the protest.

“For the safe release of my husband, all missing persons, I am organising a 5-day sit-in protest in front of 10 Downing Street in London. This protest will take place from January 3 to January 7, 2024, 24 hours daily. I urge all political parties, social and human rights activists, media, Baloch nation, and all other communities to join our sit-in protest,” Marri posted from her official handle on X.

The announcement of a sit-in comes amid ongoing protests against Baloch genocide and enforced disappearances at the National Press Club of Islamabad.

The Baloch Yakjahti Committee-Kech, in a post on X, stated that if the state fails to hold negotiations as per their demand, the issue will be taken to the court of the Baloch people.

“If the state fails to engage in serious negotiations on the demands, demonstrate seriousness, and continues its attitude towards protesters as observed over the past week, then after one week, the movement will express clear disappointment with all state institutions for their policies of state-sponsored killings and colonial treatment towards Balochistan. Then, the decision will be taken to the Baloch people’s court,” the committee warned in a statement.

Serving them an ultimatum, the committee stressed that during this week, the state needs to clarify to the Baloch people how serious they are about addressing the issue of the Baloch genocide.

“It must be practically proven that all forms of human rights violations, including forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and illegal actions, immediately cease in Balochistan,” the committee stated further.

The committee added if the state was unwilling to transform its colonial mindset, a decision would be made in the courts of the Baloch people. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Pak Interim Government Frees Additional 34 Baloch Protesters

ALSO READ: Pak Govt Under Fire Over Baloch Long March Response

Categories
-Top News Asia News Politics

Baloch Protest Crackdown Draws Amnesty’s Ire

Amnesty International urged Pakistani authorities to promptly and unequivocally dismiss all charges against individuals solely charged for exercising their right to freedom of expression….reports Asian Lite News


Amnesty Asia, a worldwide human rights organization, denounced the apprehension and imprisonment of individuals involved in the Baloch protest in Dera Ghazi Khan on Monday, expressing concern over the arrests made against those who sought to speak out against terrorism and brutality inflicted upon the Baloch people.

Taking to X, Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office, said, “Amnesty strongly condemns the arrest and detention of at least 20 participants of the Baloch march on December 17 in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab. The protestors, many of them women and families of the forcibly disappeared, peacefully held a sit-in and, subsequently, started a long march from Balochistan to Islamabad demanding justice and accountability after the extrajudicial killing of Balach Mola Bakhsh and three others by the Pakistan Counterterrorism Department (CTD) in Turbat, Balochistan, on November 23, 2023.”

The group also informed that a 24-year-old Baloch man was taken by law enforcement on October 29 and was in CTD custody on remand when he was extrajudicially executed.

Moreover, the protestors have been released; however, three separate cases against the organizers and participants have been filed.

Amnesty International also demanded that the Pakistani authorities immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against the people who were charged solely for expressing their right to freedom of expression.

It said, “Conduct an impartial investigation of all extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, particularly in Balochistan, in line with international standards. – Compensate families of victims of extrajudicial killings and those who forcibly disappeared.”

Meanwhile, the Balochistan Yakjehti Council will continue its long march against alleged genocide by Pakistani forces on the people of Balochistan after it called off a sit-in at Dera Gazi Khan on Monday night. The Baloch Long March will now start to move towards Islamabad today, according to Dawn.

The marchers started their journey from Turbat under the banner of the Baloch Yakjehti Council (BYC) and staged a sit-in in Dera Ghazi Khan after several students and protesters were arrested for breaking a local ban on gatherings.

In an effort to persuade the authorities that the long march was not against local authority, the marchers staged a sit-in at Pakistan Crossing, delaying traffic.

As a result, police freed all of the detainees but did not cancel the FIRs filed against them, according to Dawn News Pakistan. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Massive Turnout in Baloch March Against Genocide

ALSO READ: Baloch Long March Advances

Categories
-Top News Asia News Politics

Baloch Long March Advances

The Baloch Long March is being orgainsed by the Baloch people who have called for an end to state terrorism and massacres in Balochistan….reports Asian Lite News

The Balochistan Yakjehti Committee’s extensive march protesting the alleged Balochi genocide has departed from Dera Ghazi Khan and is presently on its way to Taunsa Sharif.

The Balochistan Yakjehti committee shared images and videos of people taking part in the ongoing long march en route to Taunsa Sharif.

While sharing the videos and images on X, the Balochistan Yakjehti Committee wrote, “The caravan of the ongoing long march against the Baloch genocide has left Dera Ghazi Khan, the next stop will be Taunsa Sharif!

Mehrang Baloch, a political worker, said that their long march has left from Dera Ghazi Khan. She urged people of Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsa and Dera Ismail Khan to participate in the march.

In a post on X, Mehrang Baloch wrote, “Despite all the threats and conspiracies of the state, our long march has now left from DG Khan, we strongly appeal to the people of DG Khan, Taunsa and DI Khan to be a part of this caravan in maximum numbers. No power in the world can defeat people power.”

Earlier, the Balochistan Yakjehti Committee said that the administration was forced to remove the obstacles in front of the transport vehicles before the long march starts. It further said that the long march will now be held as per schedule.

In a post on X, Balochistan Yakjehti Committee stated, “The administration has been forced to remove the obstacles in front of the transport vehicles before the long foot march begins. Now the long march will go back to Taunsa today according to its schedule. Today there will be a meeting in Taunsa where the brave Baloch people of Taunsa are requested to participate fully. After Dera Ghazi Khan, the Ghayors of Taunsa appeal to the Balochs to fully participate in the long march.”

Earlier, the Balochistan Yakjehti Committee said that the long march against the blocking of transport across Dera Ghazi Khan and threats to travellers has left Dera Ghazi Khan on foot towards Islamabad.

In a post on X, the Balochistan Yakjehti Committee stated, “The long march against the blocking of transport across Dera Ghazi Khan, threats to travelers and state conspiracies has left DG Khan on foot towards Islamabad.”

“The state cannot stop the long march by stopping the transport, the long march will in any case go ahead for the recovery of their loved ones and against the ongoing genocide and state terrorism in Balochistan. Dera Ghazi Khan, on a long march from the Ghayur Baloch of Taunsa We invite you to actively participate and be a part of it,” it added.

Notably, four students from Ghazi University were detained by police two days prior for setting up a welcome camp for the protesters. Shaukat Ali, Asif Leghari, Miraj Leghari, Abdullah Saleh, and ten other people–including women–were taken into custody due to their alleged violations of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which forbade public meetings and was enforced by the district government, Pakistan-based Dawn reported.

The Baloch Long March is being orgainsed by the Baloch people who have called for an end to state terrorism and massacres in Balochistan.

Earlier, in Turbat, Balochistan, the Long March faced resistance as at least 20 participants, including women, were detained as the Baloch Yakjehti Council’s (BYC) long march reached Dera Ghazi Khan, Dawn reported.

Led by Mohammad Asif Laghari, the BYC’s long march was intercepted on Shah Sikander Road. The police claimed the participants resisted, leading to the detention of several men and women, although the women were later released.”

Baloch Solidarity Committee’s Dharna is continuing at DG Khan, Gadai Changi, but the police have blocked the road from all sides and are continuously harassing and harassing the Baloch people participating in the dharna,” posted the Baloch Yakjahti Committee on X.

ASP City Rehmatullah Durrani informed protesters of the imposition of Section 144, prohibiting processions or rallies, a directive the participants defied.Legal proceedings have been initiated under Section 144, with police warning of action against violators until December 19, according to police. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Massive Turnout in Baloch March Against Genocide

ALSO READ: Rights Activist Arif Aajikia Sounds Alarm on Heritage Erosion in PoK

Categories
-Top News Asia News Politics

Massive Turnout in Baloch March Against Genocide

The Protestors said the the Baloch nation will no longer accept the process of kidnapping, killing and killing people in fake encounters….reports Asian Lite News


Enormous gatherings converged at Dera Gazi Khan in Balochistan during the March against Baloch genocide, initiating a sit-in to protest the arrests of numerous Baloch cadre and the alarming disappearances of Baloch individuals.

Thousands of people were seen participating in the ongoing rally by the Baloch Unity Committee in Dera Ghazi Khan. Ghayur Baloch of Makran, Jhalawan, Sarawan, Kohistan, Koh-e-Sulaiman and Dera Ghazi Khan are raising their voice against state terrorism. The protestors held placards and banners with slogans like stop your terrorism in the state of Balochistan. The Protestors said the the Baloch nation will no longer accept the process of kidnapping, killing and killing people in fake encounters.

Mehrang Baloch a political worker in her post on X said “If this state thinks that it has the force of paid soldiers, then it should remember that we have people’s power and with this people’s power the sit-in will continue till the recovery of our youth in DG Khan. Baloch people should ensure their participation in Dharna and tomorrow’s protest rally.”

Earlier, n Turbat, Balochistan, the Long March had faced resistance as at least 20 participants, including women, were detained as the Baloch Yakjehti Council’s (BYC) long march reached Dera Ghazi Khan, Dawn reported.

Led by Mohammad Asif Laghari, the BYC’s long march was intercepted on Shah Sikander Road. The police claimed the participants resisted, leading to the detention of several men and women, although the women were later released.

“Baloch Solidarity Committee’s Dharna is continuing at DG Khan, Gadai Changi, but the police have blocked the road from all sides and are continuously harassing and harassing the Baloch people participating in the dharna,” posted the Baloch Yakjahti Committee on X.

ASP City Rehmatullah Durrani informed protesters of the imposition of Section 144, prohibiting processions or rallies, a directive the participants defied, as reported by Dawn.

Legal proceedings have been initiated under Section 144, with police warning of action against violators until December 19, according to police.

Previously, a rally in Barkhan expressed solidarity with Balaach Mola Bakhsh’s family. The BYC’s spokesman reported the marchers’ departure from Kohlu town to Dera Ghazi Khan via Barkhan, where they were halted by a heavy police contingent. Attempts to enter Dera Ghazi town, observing a partial strike, resulted in a police baton charge.

Approximately 20 participants, including two women, were taken into custody and moved to an undisclosed location. BYC leaders condemned the baton charge, vowing to continue their struggle and reach Islamabad to protest the ‘extrajudicial killing’ of Bakhsh.

The committee also stated that the sit-in would continue until the arrested activists from DG Khan are released.

“The sit-in of Baloch Yakjehti Committee continues at Gadhai Chowk, Dera Ghazi Khan till the arrested activists from DG Khan are released. Despite hurdles and repression, a huge amount of people came from all areas of DG Khan to welcome the Caravan of long march against Baloch Genocide. We urge the people of Dera Ghazi Khan and peripheries to come and join the sit-in and protesting rally tomorrow at 12:00 am to halt the collective genocide of Baloch nation,” the committee said in another post on X.

The committee also requested Baloch people of Dera Ghazi Khan and surrounding areas to reach DG Khan where the dharna is currently being staged.

The committee said “The brutal actions taken by the police in DG Khan for the last two days prove how much the state is afraid of the Baloch unity. By erecting obstacles in Sakhi Sarwar, Bawata Check Post and all other areas, the state sent a message to the Baloch that Baloch have no human and constitutional rights.”

The Balcoh Long March is being orgainsed by the Baloch people who have called for an end to state terrorism and massacres in Balochistan. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Afghan Migrants Speak Out on Hardships, Mistreatment in Pakistan

ALSO READ: ‘India raised cases of minority persecution in Pakistan multiple times’