In 2009, during the tenure of the Pakistan People’s Party, the “Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan” package was announced. Alongside this, counter-insurgency policies were established, introducing Balochistan to enforced disappearances, mutilated bodies, and mass graves. An explicit and implicit ban was imposed on political activities, which resulted in a decade-long stagnation of Baloch national politics. However, following the recent political awakening, Baloch national politics, long suppressed under the fear of state oppression, is now beginning to rise.
Despite forced restrictions on political activities, disrupted communication channels, enforced disappearances and arrests of hundreds of political workers, and the relentless use of state power that has left many injured or dead, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) managed to mobilize Baloch society politically. BYC successfully organized national gatherings in Makran, Jahlawan, Sarawan, Rakhshan, and Quetta, garnering support from people of all walks of life within the Baloch community. Despite severe hardships, thousands have participated in these gatherings, joining the struggle against state oppression.
Baloch intellectuals agree that the BYC’s sit-in in Gwadar and national gatherings across Balochistan have played a pivotal role in reinvigorating Baloch national politics. The BYC’s refusal to bow before state power, its unwavering stance against oppression, and its commitment to continuous struggle appear to have far-reaching impacts on Baloch national politics.
Pakistan has a history of crushing movements for national rights and freedom through oppression and brutality. It is likely that state institutions will continue their efforts to suppress the emerging political resistance in Balochistan through force. However, the recent resistance politics clearly indicates that the Baloch nation will not remain silent in the face of state power, and resistance politics in Balochistan will intensify further.