Baloch groups slam Pakistan crackdown in PoK, urge UN action
Synopsis
As Pakistani security forces reportedly kill over 40 protesters in PoK — with analysts putting the total death toll since unrest began at potentially 125 or more — Baloch human rights organisations have issued an unusually coordinated condemnation, calling on the UN to intervene. The solidarity between Baloch groups and PoK protesters underscores a widening front of dissent against the Pakistani state.
Key Takeaways
Over 40 civilians have reportedly been killed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) over the past three days; analysts suggest the total since protests began may exceed 125 .
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) condemned the crackdown as part of a 'broader state policy' of suppressing dissent through force.
The Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) called the crackdown the 'worst example of oppression, brutality, and inhuman behaviour.' Shalee Baloch of the Baloch Women Forum (BWF) posted on X in solidarity with PoK protesters, asserting that no people's struggle can be crushed by force.
Baloch organisations have formally urged the United Nations and international human rights bodies to take immediate notice and act.
Multiple Baloch human rights organisations have strongly condemned the ongoing crackdown by Pakistani security forces in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where over 40 civilians have reportedly been killed and dozens more injured over the past three days amid escalating unrest. Analysts warn the actual death toll since protests began could exceed 125.
Key Developments
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) stated that the use of force against protesters in PoK — including direct firing, civilian targeting, and mass arrests of political activists — exposes what it termed Pakistan's 'oppressive system.' The body said the crackdown reflects a broader state policy of suppressing dissent through coercion rather than political engagement.
'Responding to public demands with bullets, arrests, and coercion instead of political processes reflects the fact that the State of Pakistan prioritises the use of force over tolerating dissent,' the BYC said in a statement.
What the Rights Bodies Said
The Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) described the indiscriminate deployment of state power against peaceful protesters as the 'worst example of oppression, brutality, and inhuman behaviour.' The organisation called on the international community to hold Pakistani authorities accountable.
Shalee Baloch, central organiser of the Baloch Women Forum (BWF), took to X to condemn the firing on protesters, writing: 'History bears witness that whenever oppressed and deprived people have risen for their rights, they have also developed the capacity to confront all forms of oppression and aggression. It is not possible to suppress a people's struggle through force, and ultimately, it is this very struggle that advances toward achieving its objectives.'
Call for International Intervention
The BYC has formally called upon international human rights organisations, relevant United Nations bodies, and the global community to take serious notice of the situation. The committee specifically flagged extrajudicial measures, illegal arrests, restrictions on civil liberties, and violations of the fundamental right to protest as areas requiring urgent international scrutiny.
Broader Context
The Baloch rights organisations' solidarity with PoK protesters is notable — it signals a convergence of grievances among communities that have long alleged systematic repression by the Pakistani state. This is not the first time Baloch groups have publicly aligned with movements in PoK; however, the scale of the current crackdown, with a reported death toll potentially exceeding 125, has drawn an unusually sharp and coordinated response. The protests in PoK are reportedly linked to longstanding demands over governance, resource rights, and political representation — issues that mirror those raised by Baloch activists for decades.
With the UN Human Rights Council yet to formally respond and Pakistan yet to issue a detailed official account of the casualties, pressure from civil society groups is expected to intensify in the coming days.
Point of View
Islamabad has managed to keep its internal repression narratives compartmentalised: Balochistan grievances in one box, PoK in another. A coordinated, public convergence of Baloch rights groups with PoK protesters threatens that separation. The reported death toll — potentially over 125 — demands independent verification, yet Pakistani authorities have not provided a credible counter-account. International bodies, including the UN Human Rights Council, have been conspicuously quiet, and that silence is itself a story. If the toll is confirmed, this would rank among the deadliest episodes of state violence against civilians in Pakistan's recent history — and the absence of global pressure would raise hard questions about selective accountability.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)?
Pakistani security forces have reportedly cracked down on civilian protesters in PoK over the past three days, killing over 40 people and injuring dozens more. Analysts suggest the total death toll since the unrest began could exceed 125.
Why are Baloch organisations condemning the PoK crackdown?
Baloch human rights groups say the crackdown mirrors the same state policy of suppression they have faced in Balochistan for decades. They argue it reflects a systemic pattern of Pakistan using force to silence dissent rather than engaging in political dialogue.
What has the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) demanded?
The BYC has called on international human rights organisations, relevant UN bodies, and the global community to take urgent notice of the killings, extrajudicial measures, illegal arrests, and restrictions on civil liberties in PoK.
Who is Shalee Baloch and what did she say?
Shalee Baloch is the central organiser of the Baloch Women Forum (BWF). She posted on X condemning the firing on PoK protesters, stating that no people's struggle can ultimately be suppressed by force.
Has Pakistan responded officially to the crackdown allegations?
According to available reports, Pakistani authorities have not yet issued a detailed official account of the casualties or the nature of the security operations in PoK. International bodies including the UN Human Rights Council have also not formally responded as of the time of reporting.
