by Mandav B Baluch
The Balochistan freedom movement has finally found its way into the world of the known. And for a fact, the Baloch Republican Party and co has played an extra ordinary role in this and put a tremendous amount of work and diplomacy which is appreciable in all terms possible.
For more than two decades, Balochistan has been looked at but only with an inadequate attention to its true existence. It has always been viewed as an internal issue of Pakistan. Little attention was paid to the Baloch people, their history and their movement for freedom. The stories of Balochistan freedom movement go back to the 1940s. But more remarkable is that which continues to this day. Although, the movement has been slow as a turtle, but the recent developments have not only helped Balochistan to make its way in the world of the known, but also caught the attention of the most unexpected countries like Switzerland. The country that has kept an uncleared and unexplained silence over Balochistan issue despite the most influential leader, Nawab Bugti, residing there.
But not anymore, Switzerland has finally cleared up its stance and stated that the Baloch people are “protected under the law of freedom of expression” to express their sorrows and seek support. And the credit, of course, goes to the recent “Free Baluchistan” posters that have not only irritated Pakistan greatly, but put Balochistan on the forefront of international attention. The posters had not only educated people about Balochistan but also put Pakistan into a state of full depression and desperation. So much so that Pakistan even ordered the expulsion of Swiss ambassador from the country. Pakistan had done what not to remove the posters. Some of the Pakistani goons in Swiss even tried to physically rip the posters off.
While Pakistan was pissed off and was trying to get the posters off, more appeared at different places in the city of Geneva. This added “fuel to the fire”. Pakistan, as it always has, started putting different allegations against the political Baloch leadership. But thankfully, the world was no more unaware of that tactic of Pakistan’s; in addition, Switzerland govt immediately responded to Pakistan’s allegation and called the posters to be “protected under the law of freedom of expression”.
But this doesn’t stop here, not only in Pakistani media but the free Baluchistan posters had also successfully made headline in the Swiss media. Yes, this is the Balochistan that has been suffering in the darkness without a single word being spoken or written for or about in the media, let alone the Pakistani media.
The news in Pakistani media spread like a fire in the woods. Every channel was competing to bring the news to the air. Although, the media was presenting it negatively, it helped Balochistan to be known by people, if nothing else. It seized the curiosity of people to know more about Balochistan. People were finally talking about the place (Balochistan) that has been continually facing betrayal and suppression at the hands of Pakistan ever since it was merged into the state.
However, its not only the posters that have advanced the Balochistan freedom movement. If you recall, on the 34th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Pakistan tried to sabotage BRP Rep. Abdul Bugti’s speech on China Pakistan Economic Corridor, and how the project was going be a potential threat to the Baloch existence. The Pakistan representative, with his narrow mindedness & illogical arguments, tried twice to stop Mr. Bugti from delivering his speech, but countries like The US, UK, Netherlands, Norway, and others voted in the favour of the Baloch representative and allowed him to continue.
That, probably, was the first time that these respective countries showed solidarity with the Baloch people and expressed their curiosity and interest into the Balochistan issue on such an international platform, thanks to Baloch Republican Party. Out of shame, Pakistani representative put his eyes to the dust and desperately listened until Mr. Bugti finished his speech. The recent campaigns and speeches at the UNHRC were also a great contribution to the ongoing free Balochistan campaign, which includes the protests by World Baloch Organization and Baloch National Movement. Last week’s campaign have greatly added to the Balochistan freedom movement and have finally pushed it to the next level.
Although, we have a long road ahead, we are in much need of such successful achievements in order to cut short our journey to an independent Balochistan.