Is the Family of Baloch Chairman Targeted by Pakistani Forces?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Quetta, Feb 4 (NationPress) The Baloch National Movement (BNM) has raised concerns over the enforced disappearance of its Chairman, Naseem Baloch's father and relatives by Pakistani forces, describing it as part of a broader, ongoing pattern of targeted actions aimed at collectively punishing the Baloch population.
The BNM spokesperson stated, “The enforced disappearance of the BNM Chairman's father and close relatives is neither an isolated nor an exceptional incident. Rather, it is indicative of a long-standing, systematic approach to collective punishment directed at the Baloch nation for decades.”
According to the BNM, political activists' families across Balochistan are systematically targeted, with enforced disappearances becoming a key tool of oppression employed by Pakistani authorities.
On February 2, the Pakistan Army reportedly attacked Naseem Baloch's family in the Hub region of Balochistan, forcibly disappearing his father, Muhammad Bakhsh Sajdi, along with his uncles Naeem Sajdi and Rafiq Baloch.
The spokesperson highlighted that this targeting of Naseem Baloch's family underscores the grim reality that even peaceful political leaders and their families are not immune to Pakistan's repression and collective punishment.
“The continual lack of global action has emboldened the Pakistan Army to perpetrate severe human rights violations without fear of consequences. Civilians are being systematically targeted, and actions that amount to genocide against the Baloch nation are being executed, with the Pakistan Army showing blatant disregard for moral or legal standards,” the BNM remarked.
Expressing deep concern over recent statements from Pakistani officials, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, regarding the deployment of additional troops in Balochistan, the BNM fears that the already precarious situation in the province may worsen.
The party criticized Pakistani officials and the so-called puppet Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti, for attempting to present state force as limited and justified, asserting that the reality is starkly different.
“In reality, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, drone strikes on civilian areas, aerial bombardment, restrictions on political, social, and academic freedoms, as well as arbitrary detentions of political leaders and activists have become commonplace in Balochistan,” the BNM stated.
The BNM cautioned that threats of increased military aggression and overt collective punishment by Pakistani authorities could lead to even stricter repression of Baloch society.
They accused Pakistan of deliberately misleading the global community to hide the ongoing genocide against the Baloch people, urging immediate and serious international attention to the situation in Balochistan.
The spokesperson warned that “the international community's double standards on human rights could exacerbate the crisis in the region.”
The BNM called for the global community to hold Pakistan accountable on an international level and to reconsider trade relationships with the country, especially regarding investments in Balochistan, emphasizing that any delay in international intervention could worsen this humanitarian crisis.