Baloch activist appeals rights organisations after crackdown by Pak military

A curfew-like situation was imposed in the restive province of Balochistan in Pakistan after the country’s powerful military launched a violent crackdown on people protesting against “Baloch genocide”, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to several others. Rights activist Maharang Baloch from Gwadar managed to send a message to the world, stating that security forces are shelling and firing on locals in Gwadar, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the city.

The unrest erupted after the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), led by Mahrang Baloch, announced at Karachi Press Club on June 13, 2024, that her political organisation would hold a Baloch National Gathering in Gwadar against the “Baloch genocide”. Since then, Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders have faced harassment and threats.

On Saturday, the situation worsened. Mahrang Baloch stated, “The military has turned Balochistan into a military zone. Despite repeatedly stating that we are peaceful and will remain peaceful, the government and military do not want Balochs to exercise their democratic rights. Balochs have the right to raise their voice against the Baloch genocide.”

The Balochistan government, led by the Pakistan People’s Party, denied permission to hold the gathering in Gwadar, citing security issues. Mahrang said that BYC had planned to hold the public gathering for a few hours. The party leadership was determined to hold the gathering, and people from across the province were coming to join it.

The provincial government and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) started raiding activists’ houses and abducting Balochs. More than 200 Balochs have been detained so far.

In Mastung, security forces opened fire on protesters, injuring 14, with one person still in critical condition. In other areas of the province, including Dalbandin, Makran, Turbat, Mastung, and Gwadar, communication services have been cut off, and no one knows the situation of the people there, said Bebarg Baloch, an activist in Mastung leading a sit-in.

Another sit-in continues in Quetta, with locals voluntarily shutting down markets and joining the protest. Meanwhile, communication is completely cut off, and people do not know what is happening in Gwadar.

The Gwadar DC threatened Mahrang Baloch by phone, saying he had orders to shoot her and the BYC leadership. He also added that when mobile services are shut down, they would start their operation against the BYC leadership. Since then, Gwadar has been completely cut off from the rest of the province, and even local journalists or activists do not know the situation.

Mahrang Baloch appealed to international human rights organisations and activists to condemn the state’s brutal violence and stand by the Balochs at this moment.

Veengas is a Karachi-based journalist and Editor at The Rise News