The Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA) has issued a statement describing the situation in Balochistan as a “state of war” and urging Sindhi citizens to avoid employment and involvement in projects, companies and institutions operating under the supervision of the Pakistani state and military in the region.
In a statement released to the media on Tuesday, SRA spokesperson Sodho Sindhi said that a war was ongoing in Balochistan between Pakistani forces and Baloch armed organisations seeking independence.
The spokesperson appealed to Sindhi workers and families not to become involved in what the group described as “exploitative companies and projects” operating in Balochistan, warning that participation in such activities could place lives at risk.
The statement further claimed that 21 Sindhi labourers are currently being held by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). According to the SRA, the individuals had been working in companies, projects and institutions in Balochistan under the supervision of the Pakistani state and military.
The group stated that in previous incidents, Sindhi labourers detained by Baloch armed organisations, particularly the BLA and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), had later been released following appeals made in consideration of what it described as historic cultural ties and mutual respect between Baloch and Sindhi communities.
The SRA further stated that the release of the 21 detained labourers was being carried out following an appeal by the group’s leader, Syed Asghar Shah, and thanked the BLA for agreeing to release them.
In its concluding remarks, the organisation again urged Sindhi families to discourage relatives from seeking employment in projects and institutions operating in Balochistan under Pakistani state and military supervision.
The statement also appealed to political, social, literary and journalistic organisations in Sindh to raise awareness regarding the security situation in Balochistan and to advise people against travelling to the region for work-related purposes.