The Baloch Students Council (BSC) Federal and Punjab has strongly condemned the recent crackdown on Baloch students, calling it a continuation of “oppressive” policies designed to suppress their rights. In a statement, the council expressed grave concerns over increasing militarization in educational institutions, highlighting that hostels have been sealed and campuses turned into military zones, paralyzing academic activities across Balochistan.
The council described the measures as a reflection of historical injustices, including enforced disappearances, targeted killings, and the dumping of mutilated bodies of Baloch missing persons, including students, in desolate areas. It stated that the state is attempting to dismantle educational and political awareness among students through harassment, psychological torment, and military interventions. The spokesperson emphasized that such actions aim to stifle intellectual growth and eliminate politically conscious youth.
Citing recent incidents, the BSC highlighted the abduction of students from institutions such as Lasbela University and Karachi University, as well as the disappearance of ten students from Islamabad in a single night. The spokesperson further pointed out the sealing of hostels at the University of Balochistan and Bolan Medical College, where the campus has been transformed into a military zone. The council warned that continued silence on these actions would have devastating consequences for education and society in Balochistan.
The BSC accused the state of using development narratives and scholarships to mask its “oppressive” tactics, which have increasingly targeted students and academic spaces. “These measures reveal the hollow nature of the state’s claims about education and governance in Balochistan,” the spokesperson said. They added that students are crucial to societal progress, and efforts to suppress their voices only expose the state’s fear of an educated and aware generation.
Concluding the statement, the council urged Baloch students across Pakistan to unite and resist collectively. They called for solidarity beyond personal or regional differences, asserting that only a unified response could counter the oppressive measures. “Our unity and resilience are the strongest tools to challenge this wave of oppression,” the council declared. “We will not bow down to injustice, and we will continue to fight for our rights and our future.”