For a long time, the Baloch people of Balochistan province in Pakistan have faced human rights violations and oppression by the Pakistani army and intelligence agencies. From the time of Pakistan’s formation to the present day, the army and intelligence agencies of this country have treated the oppressed Baloch people cruelly and have violated their rights. Here, we present some important examples of these atrocities and rights violations.
Enforced disappearances and killings: According to reports, thousands of Baloch have been detained and gone missing by the Pakistani army and intelligence agencies, with most of them missing for decades and their families kept unaware of their fate. Human rights activists claim that many of the detainees have been tortured and some have been killed. Families of the missing have repeatedly held peaceful protests, sit-ins, and even marches to Islamabad, but the voices of elderly and female Baloch seeking justice have not been heard.
Balochistan, which is rich in natural resources such as gas and other minerals, and has strategic importance due to its long coastline along the Arabian Sea, has local people who remain deprived of its economic benefits. The government of Pakistan earns revenue from these resources, but no efforts have been made for the development and improvement of the people’s lives in the Balochistan province. A gas pipeline has been laid from the Dera Bugti area of Balochistan to Punjab, covering a distance of 1500 kilometers, and people in all districts of Punjab benefit from this gas facility. However, apart from the provincial capital Quetta, there is no gas available in any other area of Balochistan.
Educational deprivation: The Pakistani government has failed to provide educational facilities in Balochistan. Local leaders claim that the government deliberately hinders the educational progress of the Baloch people to keep them behind in political and economic spheres, while every district in Punjab has universities and top colleges.
Military operations and violence: In response to the activities of Baloch separatist groups, the Pakistani army has conducted extensive operations, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people to Iran, Oman, and other countries. Human rights advocates have condemned these operations, stating that they threaten the lives of civilians and trample on their rights.
Political marginalization: Baloch people do not have sufficient participation in political decisions, and their demands and issues are not heard at the national level. This political marginalization has led to further violations of their rights.
Baloch separatists: The separatist movement in Balochistan began in March 1948, a year after the formation of Pakistan. This movement emerged when the Pakistani government officially annexed the independent princely state of Balochistan (Khan of Kalat). Khan of Kalat, Ahmad Yar Khan, was initially opposed to joining Pakistan but signed the agreement under pressure.
This movement began in the Kalat region of Balochistan, which at that time was an independent state. The first resistance efforts were led by the brother of the Khan of Kalat, Shahzada Abdul Karim; he demanded the independence of Kalat and initiated an armed resistance in the Kalat mountains.
In 1958, during the rule of General Ayub Khan, the Nawab Nooruz Khan uprising occurred, which was violently suppressed by the Pakistan Army. After the 1973 Constitution under Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the demands of the people of Balochistan were not accepted. In response, a new uprising began, which continued until 1977.
Contemporary Movement: In 2004, a new armed movement was launched under the leadership of Nawab Akbar Bugti, the former Chief Minister of Balochistan. He was killed in a military operation in 2006, after which the movement gained even more momentum.
Separatists seek independence for Balochistan, control over natural resource profits, and liberation from Pakistan’s political and economic exploitation.
Current situation: In contemporary times, separatist movements are led by Baloch freedom fighter groups such as the “Baloch Liberation Army” (BLA) and other factions. These groups are engaged in armed efforts to secure Baloch rights in Pakistan. The centers of these movements remain the mountainous regions of Balochistan, particularly Awaran, Makran, Gwadar, Turbat Kohlu, Mastung, and the Kahan area.
Recently, the separatist groups in Balochistan have increased their activities and have carried out numerous attacks on Pakistani security forces and government installations, causing significant human and financial losses to the army and security forces. They have gained public support, liberated many areas of Balochistan from the control of the Pakistani army, cut off supply routes to the army, and are in a strong political position.
Public awareness against the atrocities of the Pakistani army has strengthened, and it has been proven that they have taken on the role of mercenary killers for Western countries.
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