By Maryam Abdullah
It has been more than seventy-five years since Pakistan occupied Balochistan. Since then, Pakistan’s atrocities have continuously worsened in the region. Balochistan, being the largest province by land area, has faced systemic marginalization, political suppression, human rights abuses, and socio-economic disparities. This oppression has deep historical roots and manifests in various ways, severely impacting the province’s development and the quality of life of its people.
Despite its rich resources—natural gas, coal, minerals, and the Gwadar port—Balochistan’s wealth disproportionately benefits the federal government and other provinces, leaving its own population impoverished. Poverty in Balochistan is a persistent issue, marked by socio-economic inequalities, underdevelopment, and a lack of access to essential resources.
The heavy deployment of military forces, who present themselves to the world as protectors of the Baloch citizens, has in reality shrouded Balochistan in a veil of cruelty and terror. The military’s actions have led to widespread allegations of abuse, harassment, and indiscriminate violence against civilians. Their overwhelming presence has severely disrupted civilian life, with reports of restricted freedoms, disrupted livelihoods, and deep distrust between the military and the local population. Military operations have caused widespread internal displacement and economic stagnation across much of Balochistan.
In addition, reports of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the torture of activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens have created a climate of fear. Voices advocating for provincial rights are often silenced through arrests, intimidation, or exile. Thousands of Baloch activists, students, and journalists have been forcibly disappeared, leaving families in the dark about their whereabouts. There is scarcely a household in Balochistan untouched by this pain and suffering. Mothers, sisters, children, and infants protest on the roads for weeks, months, or even years, enduring freezing cold nights and scorching hot days, firmly holding onto hope and raising their voices for justice and the safe return of their loved ones.
The disappearance of even one person is not just a family tragedy but a national crisis that inflicts profound grief, anxiety, and psychological trauma on families, friends, and the entire community. The uncertainty of not knowing a loved one’s fate leaves a lasting emotional toll. In Balochistan, nearly every household bears the agony of missing someone: a father, brother, or son. Such cruelty and brutality by the military forces sow seeds of hatred in the hearts of the Baloch people. The cries of mothers and sisters may shake the throne of the Almighty, but the world’s human rights organizations remain indifferent to the plight of the Baloch people.
For decades, the Baloch people have been subjected to daily torment. The silence and inaction of the world have emboldened the Pakistani state and its forces to continue oppressing the Baloch people. To end this oppression, the Baloch must resist, break the chains of slavery, and showcase their historical unity and strength to the world.
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.