What Did Baloch Activist Write to Lok Sabha Speaker About Pakistan’s Repression in Balochistan?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mir Yar Baloch emphasizes the need for international awareness regarding Balochistan's plight.
- Over forty thousand Baloch individuals have been forcibly disappeared.
- Mir calls for a debate in the Indian Parliament on Balochistan's situation.
- Widespread violence and repression continue under the Pakistani military's rule.
- Human rights violations in Balochistan represent a global humanitarian crisis.
Quetta, Nov 21 (NationPress) Prominent Baloch human rights advocate, Mir Yar Baloch, on Friday addressed a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, bringing attention to the systematic oppression endured by the populace of Balochistan due to the actions of the "occupying" Pakistani military.
In his correspondence to Birla, Mir stated, "On behalf of the 60 million residents of the Republic of Balochistan, we express our profound respect for the Lok Sabha and the esteemed democratic traditions of the Republic of India. We reach out during a time marked by tremendous suffering, historic change, and urgent need for the Baloch nation.
"From the perspective of the Baloch nation, Pakistan's presence in Balochistan has been, since day one, an unlawful occupation enforced at gunpoint, rather than a union founded on consent or justice. For 78 years, the Baloch nation has resolutely insisted that Pakistan’s claim over Balochistan is illegitimate, unacknowledged, and morally indefensible, relying solely on coercion devoid of any lawful or historical basis,” he further elaborated.
Mir pointed out that instead of acknowledging the aspirations of the Baloch populace, Pakistan has escalated its violent campaign, executing aerial bombings, deploying tanks, utilizing lethal drones, and perpetrating widespread enforced disappearances throughout Balochistan.
“Over forty thousand Baloch individuals—including men, women, and children—have been forcibly vanished. Mass graves continue to emerge. Entire communities have been obliterated. Economic exploitation and collective punishment are commonplace. This is not simply a regional issue; it is a humanitarian crisis of international importance,” the human rights advocate asserted.
On behalf of the Balochistan populace, Mir urged the Indian Parliament to conduct a thorough debate on the province's situation during the forthcoming Lok Sabha session in December. He emphasized that such a discussion would amplify the silent anguish of millions and help unveil the severe human rights abuses, war crimes, and systemic oppression inflicted by Pakistan on the Baloch community.
Mir also expressed willingness to assist international forensic specialists in visiting Balochistan to gather evidence of Pakistan's intentional deployment of chemical and toxic weapons, which he claimed the Pakistani establishment has consistently hidden from the global community. He urged the Parliament of India to contemplate adopting a resolution regarding the deteriorating circumstances in Balochistan.
“Our people have suffered immeasurable losses, yet they remain resilient. We implore the conscience of the world's largest democracy to advocate for justice, humanity, and the universal tenets of freedom and self-determination,” the letter concluded.