Why Are Baloch Children Being Denied Education by Pakistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Baloch children are protesting school closures.
- Education deprivation is a form of calculated cruelty.
- The Pakistani army is accused of exploiting Balochistan's resources.
- Human rights organizations are highlighting systemic oppression.
- The struggle for independence is gaining momentum among Baloch people.
Quetta, Sep 3 (NationPress) Prominent Baloch human rights advocate Mir Yar Baloch on Wednesday criticized the Pakistani government for denying education to Baloch children by closing schools in Balochistan.
He shared a video showing children protesting in the region, stating, "This is Dasht Gawaran in Sui, District Dera Bugti. Innocent schoolchildren have placed stones on an unpaved road in a desperate protest. Why? Because the occupying Pakistani army has shut down their school, robbing them of their right to learn, to dream, and to aspire for a fruitful future.
Mir remarked, "These children are intentionally deprived of education to prevent them from becoming educated, empowered Baloch who can contribute to their homeland, Balochistan." He claimed that on the land of Sui, the Pakistani army "loots" 334 cubic feet of gas daily at gunpoint, transporting it 800 kilometers to Punjab and Karachi, where it powers industries, illuminates cities, and sustains lives. In Punjab, he noted, children receive free education, healthcare, and even complimentary laptops for college and university students.
In stark contrast, Mir emphasized that children in Balochistan are left in darkness, denied schools, books, and their fundamental right to knowledge. He labeled this not as neglect, but as a calculated cruelty.
Claiming that Pakistan's oppression in Balochistan has reached unprecedented levels, Mir stated that the people of Balochistan are no longer muted.
"They are coming together, rising, and fighting for the total liberation of their homeland. They aspire to live with dignity, build a prosperous future as a free nation, and take control of the destiny of their beloved land, Balochistan, free from the chains of foreign oppressors. Balochistan will not be hushed. Its children will not be defeated. Its people will not yield," stressed the human rights activist.
The people of Balochistan are currently engaged in a struggle for independence from Pakistan. Numerous human rights organizations have repeatedly underscored the repression inflicted by Pakistani forces in the region, which includes violent raids on the homes of Baloch leaders and civilians, unlawful arrests, enforced disappearances, the 'kill and dump' policy, detention under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, and the filing of fabricated police cases.