Global Silence as Balochistan Endures Unseen Agony Under Pakistani Repression
In the arid, rugged terrain of Balochistan, a region already fraught with challenges, the situation has deteriorated to a critical point. Recent events have cast a harsh light on the plight of the Baloch people, who have long been under the heavy hand of Pakistani defense forces. The latest crackdown unfolded as the Baloch community gathered for the Baloch National Gathering, a peaceful assembly intended to hold the Pakistani government and its military accountable for alleged human rights abuses.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) issued a poignant statement detailing the grim reality on the ground. The internet has been completely shut down in Gwadar and large parts of Makuran for the past 48 hours, with phone networks cut off since the previous evening. An undeclared curfew has been imposed, leaving Gwadar and surrounding areas isolated. No one is allowed to enter or leave, effectively turning the region into a lockdown zone.
The oppressive measures taken by the Pakistani military have escalated significantly. A caravan of thousands, including women and children, set off from Quetta towards Gwadar. Their journey was fraught with obstacles as they faced multiple roadblocks set up by the military and Frontier Corps. Despite these challenges, the caravan reached Mastung, only to be met with direct gunfire from the military. Fourteen participants were injured, with three critically hurt and now receiving treatment at the Quetta Trauma Centre. The military's assault didn't stop there—they burst the tires of the convoy's vehicles and shattered windows with gunfire, leaving the caravan immobilized and vulnerable.
Currently, the caravan holds a peaceful sit-in in Mastung, a stark contrast to the violence they have endured. The BYC has condemned these actions, highlighting that peaceful activists have been forcibly disappeared, raided, and booked in false cases in an attempt to sabotage the Baloch National Gathering.
The BYC's call to action extends beyond Pakistan's borders. They urge international media to break their silence and cover the atrocities unfolding in Balochistan. The BYC's statement is a scathing critique of the global journalistic community, accusing them of criminal silence and failing to uphold journalistic values and principles. They appeal for coverage of the war-like conditions, the curfew in Gwadar, and the severe oppression by the Pakistani state.
Despite these severe human rights violations, the international media has largely ignored the violence in Balochistan. The Baloch people continue to suffer in a media blackout, their cries for help unheard on the global stage. The world’s indifference is a heavy burden, one that allows such brutality to persist unchecked.
In the face of such adversity, the resilience of the Baloch people shines through. Their determination to gather peacefully and demand accountability, even under the threat of violence, is a testament to their strength. As the global community remains largely silent, the situation in Balochistan serves as a stark reminder of the importance of media coverage in bringing human rights abuses to light and holding perpetrators accountable.
