A seminar was held in Quetta under the banner of the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) to discuss the “Balochistan Kitab Karwan, Importance, Necessity, Success and Government’s Disruption on Campaign.” The event highlighted the significance of the book fair campaign, its impact on society, and the challenges posed by police and government interference in book-related activities.
The “Balochistan Kitab Karwan” was a Balochistan-wide book fair organized by the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC), with book stalls set up across Balochistan to foster a culture of reading and raise awareness about education. However, the campaign faced a heavy crackdown from the government, leading to the arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of several organizers.
The seminar in Quetta featured a panel discussion, speeches, research papers, a documentary screening, and even a drama performance. The panelists included Dr. Shali Baloch, organizer of the Baloch Women Forum, Kashif Panezai from the Balochistan chapter of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), and writer/publisher Sakhi Naseeruddin. The discussion was moderated by BSAC’s central vice-chairman, Rafiq Baloch.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, organizer and leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), spoke on the culture of book fairs and reading habits in Balochistan, emphasizing the growing obstacles faced by those promoting knowledge and education. A documentary and a research paper on the Balochistan Kitab Karwan were also presented, along with a drama highlighting the struggle for education in the region.
Participants and guest speakers strongly condemned the government’s attempts to disrupt the book fair campaign and the arrest of young people for distributing books. They described these actions as unlawful and an attack on knowledge and education. The speakers stressed that such restrictions could have long-term negative consequences for the region, which already lags behind in education. They argued that instead of facilitating learning opportunities, the government is actively obstructing efforts to promote education, further pushing Balochistan into intellectual darkness.
Despite these challenges, the seminar’s attendees expressed optimism about the success of the Balochistan Kitab Karwan campaign. They highlighted the enthusiastic participation of students, teachers, activists, writers, and people from all walks of life, demonstrating a collective commitment to knowledge. The speakers urged for the continuation of such efforts to keep the flame of education alive in Baloch society.
The seminar was attended by students, teachers, political and social activists, human rights advocates, and writers, reflecting the growing concern over government-imposed restrictions on educational initiatives in Balochistan.