Quetta, Balochistan – As the sun sets over the rugged mountains of Balochistan, it illuminates not just a landscape of stark beauty, but a people yearning for freedom, a nation under siege. For decades, the Baloch people have endured a relentless struggle against an occupying power, a fight for self-determination that echoes through generations. The escalating violence and human rights abuses are not merely “issues” to be managed; they are the desperate cries of a people pushed to the brink, resolutely demanding their inherent right to exist as a free and independent nation.
The Unyielding Spirit of Resistance: The recent surge in resistance by Baloch freedom fighters, including the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), is a direct consequence of decades of oppression. These are not acts of mere militancy, but the desperate measures of a populace with its back against the wall, fighting for survival against an aggressor that has systematically plundered their resources and denied their fundamental rights. The hijacking of the Jaffar Express and other targeted actions, however tragic their consequences, are born from the agony of a people who have exhausted all other avenues for justice. When the world turns a blind eye to pleas for peace, and when development is synonymous with dispossession, armed resistance becomes a tragic, yet inevitable, last resort. The rise of women in the armed struggle, exemplified by the increased participation in suicide bombings, is a testament to the depth of despair and the unwavering commitment of the Baloch people to reclaim their dignity.
A Litany of Human Rights Abuses: The international community must not be fooled by the rhetoric of “counter-terrorism.” What the Pakistani state labels as such is, in reality, a systematic campaign of terror against the Baloch people. Enforced disappearances are not isolated incidents; they are a calculated strategy to instill fear and silence dissent. Thousands of Baloch individuals – students, poets, doctors, activists – have simply vanished, their families left in an agonizing limbo. Arbitrary detentions and extrajudicial killings are a grim reality, designed to crush the spirit of a resilient people.
The crackdown on the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a peaceful movement led by courageous figures like Mahrang Baloch, exemplifies the state’s intolerance for any form of dissent. Advocating for the most basic human rights, the BYC has faced an onslaught of repression, with its leaders and supporters being arrested, harassed, and subjected to draconian laws. Internet blackouts, routinely imposed across the province, serve only to conceal the atrocities committed and to isolate the Baloch people from the global gaze. The silence from international bodies on these widespread human rights violations is deafening and, frankly, complicit.
The Call for Independence: A Right, Not a Demand: Balochistan is not a mere province; it is a historical nation, rich in resources, culture, and a distinct identity. For too long, its vast mineral wealth, including gas and gold, has been exploited by an external power, leaving the Baloch people in abject poverty. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, lauded as development initiatives, are viewed by the Baloch as further instruments of colonial exploitation, designed to consolidate control over their land and resources without benefiting the indigenous population.
The deep-seated mistrust in any dialogue or development initiative offered by the Pakistani government stems from decades of broken promises and continued subjugation. The overwhelming presence of the military, and its alleged pervasive influence in every facet of Baloch life, further solidifies the conviction that true autonomy is impossible under the current paradigm.
This is why the call for independence is not a mere demand, but a fundamental right – the right to self-determination enshrined in international law. The appeals by Baloch leaders to international bodies for recognition of Balochistan’s independence are a desperate plea for justice from a world that has largely ignored their plight. The ongoing struggle in Balochistan is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, a clear message that a people determined to be free will ultimately prevail. The world must now choose: to stand with the oppressors, or to champion the cause of a nation fighting for its very existence.
