Balochistan, the largest yet most underdeveloped province of Pakistan, has been a hotbed of human rights violations for decades. The province, rich in natural resources, remains plagued by state-sponsored oppression, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and economic exploitation. While the Pakistani government presents a narrative of development and progress, the ground realities tell a story of suppression, resistance and unrelenting suffering of the Baloch people.
Balochistan’s troubled history with Pakistan dates back to 1948 when Pakistan forcibly annexed the region, disregarding the aspirations of the Baloch people for independence. Since then, multiple insurgencies have erupted, fueled by grievances over political marginalization, economic exploitation, and military repression. The Pakistani state has responded with brutal crackdowns, further alienating the Baloch population.One of the most alarming human rights violations in Balochistan is the phenomenon of enforced disappearances. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly highlighted the Pakistani security forces' role in abducting activists, journalists and intellectuals. Families of the disappeared are left without answers, as the state refuses to acknowledge these abductions. Many of these individuals are later found dead, their bodies bearing signs of torture.
According to the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, thousands of people have disappeared in the last two decades. These abductions are often carried out by Pakistan’s intelligence agencies, including the Inter-Services Intelligence and the Military Intelligence. The modus operandi is chillingly similar—masked men arrive in unmarked vehicles, abduct individuals in broad daylight and leave no trace.Extrajudicial killings further compound the crisis. The “kill and dump” policy, where the bodies of missing persons are later found dumped in remote areas, has terrorized the local population. Reports indicate that these individuals are often tortured to death before being discarded, sending a clear message of intimidation.
The Pakistani military has frequently launched large-scale operations in Balochistan under the pretext of counterinsurgency measures. However, these operations primarily target civilians, forcing them to flee their homes and seek refuge in the mountains or neighboring regions. Entire villages have been burned down, livestock confiscated, and families uprooted.The military also employs aerial bombardment and heavy artillery in its operations, leading to indiscriminate civilian casualties. The Pakistan Army and paramilitary forces, including the Frontier Corps have been accused of conducting house raids, executing innocent civilians and using torture as a means of coercion.Balochistan remains one of the most censored regions in the world. Journalists attempting to report on human rights violations face intimidation, abduction, or assassination. Media houses in Pakistan, under pressure from the military establishment, refrain from covering Balochistan’s plight.
Several Baloch journalists have either been killed or forced into exile. The Pakistani state has also imposed a digital blackout, restricting access to information and blocking social media accounts that highlight the human rights crisis in Balochistan. Independent observers and international media are systematically denied entry into the region.Despite being rich in minerals and natural gas, Balochistan remains the poorest province of Pakistan. The exploitation of Balochistan’s resources benefits the ruling elite in Islamabad while the local population remains deprived of basic necessities like clean water, electricity and healthcare.A prime example of this exploitation is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which runs through Balochistan. While Pakistan touts CPEC as a game-changer for economic growth, the Baloch people see it as another instrument of their dispossession. The local population has been excluded from decision-making processes and Chinese investments have done little to improve their living conditions. Instead, military deployment has increased to protect Chinese interests, leading to further militarization of the region.
Women and children in Balochistan are not spared from the atrocities. Reports indicate that Baloch women have been subjected to forced disappearances and sexual violence. The families of missing persons, particularly women-led protests, have been met with state violence, with police and security forces using excessive force to suppress demonstrations.Children, too, suffer immensely due to the ongoing conflict. The destruction of schools, lack of proper education facilities and a climate of fear prevent many from accessing basic education. The psychological toll on young Baloch children who witness the abduction of their fathers or the killing of their relatives is immeasurable.
Human rights organizations and international bodies have repeatedly condemned Pakistan’s actions in Balochistan. The European Parliament, the United Nations and various non-governmental organizations have raised concerns over the rising number of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. However, Pakistan continues to deny these allegations, dismissing them as propaganda by separatist groups and foreign adversaries.
Pakistan’s authorities maintain that military operations in Balochistan are necessary to curb terrorism and ensure national security. However, the reality suggests that these measures serve to suppress legitimate demands for autonomy and rights.Despite decades of oppression, the Baloch people continue to resist. The struggle for justice takes various forms, including peaceful protests, advocacy by diaspora groups and armed resistance by insurgent groups demanding independence.Organizations such as the Baloch National Movement and the Balochistan Liberation Army have been vocal in their opposition to Pakistani oppression. However, the state uses these insurgencies as a justification to intensify its crackdown on civilians.
Baloch activists in exile have taken the struggle to international forums, raising awareness about the crisis in Balochistan. Protests outside Pakistani embassies in Western countries have highlighted the issue, pressuring global powers to take a stand against Pakistan’s human rights abuses.The human rights violations in Balochistan remain one of the most pressing humanitarian crises in South Asia. From enforced disappearances to economic exploitation, the Baloch people continue to suffer under Pakistani rule. Despite international condemnation, Pakistan persists in its oppressive tactics, showing little regard for human rights.
The world must take a stronger stance against Pakistan’s actions in Balochistan. The international community, human rights organizations and media must amplify the voices of the oppressed and push for accountability. Without intervention, the cycle of violence, injustice and repression will continue, leaving generations of Baloch people in perpetual suffering. It is time for justice, dignity and freedom for the people of Balochistan.
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