A curfew-like situation prevailed in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province after the country’s powerful military cracked down violently on people protesting against the “Baloch genocide”, resulting in one person’s death and several others injured. Gwadar-based human rights activist Maharang Baloch relayed a message to the world saying security forces were shelling and firing on locals in Gwadar, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the city.
The unrest began when the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) led by Mehrang Baloch announced at the Karachi Press Club on June 13, 2024 that his political organisation would hold a Baloch national gathering in Gwadar against the “Baloch genocide”. Since then Mehrang Baloch and other BYC leaders have been facing harassment and threats.
The situation worsened further on Saturday. Mehrang Baloch said, “The army has turned Balochistan into a military zone. Despite repeatedly saying that we are peaceful and will remain peaceful, the government and the army do not want the Baloch to exercise their democratic rights. The Baloch have the right to raise their voice against the Baloch genocide.”
The Pakistan Peoples Party-led Balochistan government refused to grant permission to hold the gathering in Gwadar, citing security reasons. Mehrang said the BYC had planned to hold the public meeting for a few hours. The party leadership was determined to hold the gathering, and people from across the province were coming to attend it.
The provincial government and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) have started raiding the homes of activists and kidnapping Balochs. So far, more than 200 Balochs have been detained.
Security forces opened fire on protesters in Mastung, injuring 14 people, while one person is still in critical condition. Communication services have been cut off in other areas of the province, including Dalbandin, Makran, Turbat, Mastung and Gwadar, and no one knows the condition of people there, said Beberg Baloch, an activist leading the sit-in in Mastung.
The sit-in continues in Quetta as well, with locals voluntarily shutting down markets and joining the protests. Meanwhile, communications are completely cut off and people don’t know what is happening in Gwadar.
Gwadar DC threatened Mehrang Baloch over the phone, saying he had orders to shoot him and the BYC leadership. He also said that when the mobile services are shut down, they will start their campaign against the BYC leadership. Since then, Gwadar has been completely cut off from the rest of the province, and even local journalists or activists are not aware of the situation.
Mahrang Baloch appealed to international human rights organisations and activists to condemn the state’s brutal violence and stand with the Balochs at this time.
Vengas is a Karachi-based journalist and editor of The Rise News