The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on 28 July 1914 became one of the sole reasons of World War 1 which ended up taking lives of 16 million people. Unfortunately, peace could not return to Europe until 1923, five years after the end of the First World War.
The first World War brought a lot of geographical changes especially in Europe, which affected Russia. In 1917 Russian Civil War began which ended with the creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in December 1922. Similarly, Finnish Civil War began in 1918 and it ended in 1919 when Finland became a republic.
The long-lasting rule of Britain in Egypt from 1882 also came to an end as a result of World War 1. Britain declared Egypt to be a British protectorate as World War 1 broke out. The treatment by Britain during the War made Egyptians really unhappy and they began pushing for independence as soon as the fighting ceased. Finally, in February 1922, Britain declared Egyptian independence.
In 1919 Sinn Féin declared an Irish Republic. The guerrilla war ended with the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, which confirmed the partitioning of Ireland into south and north. This new treaty did not bring peace to Ireland but because of the treaty a civil war started between the pro-treaty Nationalists and the anti-treaty Republicans, which at the end was won by Nationalists.
Similarly, after World War 2 ended, from 1945 to 1960, more than 36 new countries in Asia and Africa achieved independence from their colonial rulers.
The above-mentioned historical facts are just a reminder that after every disaster mankind have become even more stronger and the people with strong resolve have achieved what they have desired for. In this very hour everyone is scared and shattered because of an unknown enemy, only known by its name Coronavirus. Almost every nation on the earth is at war against this enemy but no one is yet sure how to defeat or save themselves from this unknown and dangerous enemy. Corona has become a pandemic now, every single living being is at the risk of getting this virus. Governments across the globe have started locking down the whole countries asking people to stay indoors and not leave their houses if it is not really necessary. Developed countries are spending billions of dollars to find a cure.
Recently The secretary General of UN Mr Antonio Guettress had urged all parties in conflicts across the globe to call for a ceasefire. In Balochistan, the theory of ceasefire does not seem to be working practically. Unfortunately, even in this time of pandemic people of Balochistan are victims of abduction and facing torture on daily basis. While penning down this piece of writing, I can see on my phone a house has been raided in Kolwaah, district of Balochistan and seven people including women and children have been abducted.
This inhuman treatment of Pakistani state in Balochistan, does not stop here. They have also beaten and arrested the frontlines of Balochistan because of their protests for personal protective equipment. In civilised world, we see people and the governments coming out and clapping for the doctors and calling them the real heroes of this war against an unknown enemy, but in Balochistan they are being treated as criminals and instead of being applauded they are dragged on the roads.
Such brutalities by the Pakistani state even in this time of crisis reveals only two things.
One Pakistani state has no morality and they do not care about the lives of people of Balochistan they only want the land and resources of Balochistan and for that they can go beyond the imagination of any human being.
Second Pakistan has seen its defeat in Balochistan and that is why the Pakistani army and paramilitary forces are using such inhuman forces against the innocent people of Balochistan by abducting and killing them and also by torturing the doctors of Balochistan to prevent them from fulfilling their duties. Just like all other world crises the current pandemic will also come to an end, but it will reshape the world that we know. One day the continuous and earnest struggle of Baloch nation will bear fruits and the downtrodden and subjugated people will see a bright and shiny future in the shape of an independent Balochistan.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Balochistan Post or any of its editors.