Habib Tahir, Vice-Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that in order to suppress the dissent, the state is using forced disappearances on a large scale. He expressed, that ongoing and future projects under CPEC should not deprive the livelihood of Gwadar’s fishing community. The absence of a legal trade ecosystem between Balochistan and neighboring countries has increased the level of poverty in the province, he added.
Tahir expressed his views while talking to the media on Wednesday in Quetta. Abdul Ghani Mengal, Syed Ahad Agha, Shams Mulk, and Farid Shahwani were also present on this occasion.
HRCP’s vice chairman reasoned that forced disappearances, economic deprivation, violation of press freedom, incompetent administrative system, and the establishment’s political machinations were the factors of increasing anger among the people of Balochistan. He said that common citizens are in a state of grief, and most of them have declared Balochistan a colony of the state. He said the state has been widely using enforced disappearances to suppress dissent and critical voices. “Suffering from the severe economic downturn, the resource-rich province has been deprived of the fair share of income from multiple developmental projects,” he said.
Tahir demanded Balochistan Assembly legislate a law for an immediate stop to the establishment’s undue interference in the political affairs of Balochistan, accountability for the perpetrators of enforced disappearances, and the safety and freedom of media persons of the province.
He argued that the livelihood of the fishing community of Gwadar should not be affected by the ongoing projects under CPEC. He also added that all the political parties should take serious notice of the legitimate grievances of the Pashtun population, especially their grievances regarding the unequal representation in the provincial legislature.
Furthermore, he added that in view of the devastating effects of floods in some parts of Balochistan, a permanent and empowered local government is imperative which can be prepared with early warning systems, evacuation plans, and the necessary equipment to provide safe shelters to the masses.