written by
muhammad waqas
In the harsh and desolate land of Balochistan, a cry for justice has once again fallen on deaf ears as thousands of Baloch protesters, armed only with their plea for an end to extra-judicial killings, found themselves violently denied on the outskirts of Islamabad. The recent march, originating from Turbat where Balach Baloch was killed in another fake encounter, sought to draw attention to the alarming human rights violations in Balochistan, but instead, it ended in a brutal clash with Islamabad’s law enforcement.
The Baloch people, who have been marginalized for far too long, are calling for a stop to the genocidal atrocities perpetrated on their masses. Similarly, on 13 August 2020, a student named Hayat Baloch was shot many times, badly assaulted, and ruthlessly killed by the Frontier Corps, proving that we have learned nothing from our brutal past.
Sarfraz Bugti, the former caretaker interior minister, became a focal point in the protesters’ demands. His resignation and subsequent alignment with the PPP only added fuel to the fire, questioning the sincerity of political figures in addressing the longstanding issues faced by the Baloch people. Bugti appears to have been instigated and initiated for a specific objective, serving as a tool to commence the deportation of Afghan refugees without adhering to proper and lawful policies.
The caretaker’s prime minister, hailing from Balochistan, finds himself in a vulnerable position, seemingly unable to implement legitimate measures to address the deep-rooted problem of Baloch missing persons. The protestors, who demanded to be heard, were met not with open conversation, but with the physical force of Islamabad police, who assaulted and injured them. The basic essence of democratic debate was trampled on, raising concerns about citizen’s fundamental rights.
The prominent journalist Hamid Mir’s revelations about police officer Ashfaq Warraich resorting to violence against women only add to the growing concern. Such actions not only violate human rights but also deteriorate the reputation of the state and its institutions. The echoes of similar atrocities leading to the “Fall of Dhaka in 1971” reverberate through these incidents, a stark reminder of the consequences of ignoring the legitimate concerns of a marginalized population.
The state’s adoption of old-fashioned, colonial tactics risks pushing Balochistan towards a path of bloody revolutionary movements. History has repeatedly shown that oppressive regimes sow the seeds of separatism and radicalization. The state must break free from the shackles of imperialist policies and engage in meaningful political dialogues with the Baloch community to find a lasting solution before Pakistan becomes further fragmented.
Ignoring the cries of the Baloch people will only deepen the wounds and sow the seeds of discontent that could lead to irreversible consequences. It is imperative for the state to recognize the legitimacy of the Baloch plea, foster open dialogue, and work towards a resolution that upholds the principles of justice and human rights. The alternative could be a bitter and irreversible chapter in the history of Pakistan.
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