Latest news with #MuhammadAmeen
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Tensions rise in Pakistan after Baloch rebels kill alleged army agent
The BLA claims Muhammad Ameen and his group were responsible for several attacks on their fighters over the years. Image: Supplied The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group fighting for independence in Pakistan's Balochistan province, says it was behind a deadly bomb blast that killed a man they claim was working with the Pakistani army. The target was Muhammad Ameen, who the BLA says helped the military carry out secret operations in Balochistan. He and his son, Naveed Ameen, were killed when their vehicle was hit by a remote-controlled bomb in the Zamuran area. According to BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch, Ameen was part of a "death squad" that had been working with the army to arrest, kill and make political activists disappear. 'He was protected by the army and allowed to run drug operations in return for his dirty work,' said the spokesperson. The BLA is a separatist group that wants independence for Balochistan, a region in southwest Pakistan. They accuse the Pakistani government of exploiting Balochistan's natural resources while keeping the local people poor, silent and under military control. For years, the BLA and other Baloch nationalist groups have been fighting against the state. This conflict has led to hundreds of deaths, forced disappearances, and widespread fear among local communities. The BLA claims Muhammad Ameen and his group were responsible for several attacks on their fighters over the years. In 2018, they say his squad killed two of their members in the Jalagi area. In 2020, five more BLA fighters were allegedly killed by Ameen's network in another part of Balochistan. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The BLA believes this latest bombing was payback for those killings. Balochistan has been described by human rights groups as one of the most dangerous and heavily policed areas in Pakistan. The Pakistani government says it is fighting terrorists in the region. But local activists say innocent people—especially young men—are often targeted just for speaking out. Harsh security laws in Pakistan give soldiers the power to arrest people without a proper investigation. Many of those arrested are never seen again, and those who are taken to court often face unfair trials in secret military courts. Torture is also commonly reported. One local activist told The Citizen that people in Balochistan are living under constant fear. 'The army can come into your house without warning. People disappear and families never get answers,' the activist said. Adding to the problem is tight media control. Journalists are not free to report on what's really happening in Balochistan, meaning the rest of Pakistan—and the world—rarely sees or hears the full story. The Pakistani government has not responded publicly to the bombing or the BLA's claims. However, the attack is expected to increase tensions in an already unstable region. While the BLA's use of violence is criticised by the state, the group still has support among many Baloch people who feel forgotten and abused by the government. For now, the people of Balochistan remain trapped in a deadly tug-of-war between the military and the rebels—both of whom have been accused of human rights violations.
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
BLA eliminates Pak Army backed leader amid disappearance and drug allegations
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for a remote-controlled IED attack that killed Muhammad Ameen, a major member of an alleged Pakistani army-backed killing squad, and his son. The BLA accused Ameen of taking part in military operations, enforced disappearances, and targeted assassinations in the Zamuran region. Agent Muhammad Ameen, a prominent agent of the occupying Pakistani army's so-called killing squad, and his son were both neutralised by Baloch Liberation Army fighters. BLA liberation fighters used a remote-controlled IED to assault enemy agent Muhammad Ameen's truck. As a result, he was neutralised alongside his son, Naveed Ameen, and his vehicle was destroyed, according to BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch. Agent Ameen was personally involved in aiding military aggression in Zamuran and its surroundings, as well as enforced disappearances and deliberate killings of young people. In exchange for these atrocities, this gang had complete freedom from the invading army to market drugs. The same gang, led by Muhammad Ameen, was directly responsible for the martyrdom of "BRAS" liberation fighters. In July 2018, Hussain Shahsawar alias Chesal and Hanif Lal alias Ustad Shohaz were killed in Zamuran's Jalagi region. In January 2020, this group was implicated in the martyrdom of Majid Baloch alias Saleem, Miran Baloch alias Dad Jan, Shakeel Baloch alias Jeeyand, Daulat Baloch alias Baran, and Yousuf Baloch alias Doda in the Naag area, according to Jeeyand Baloch. The Baloch people have faced systematic oppression and torture through the misuse of several laws, particularly in regions like Pakistan's Balochistan. Laws such as the Anti-Terrorism Act and special security ordinances have been used to justify arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention without trial, and denial of basic legal rights. Under these laws, security forces often operate with broad powers and legal immunity, leading to widespread reports of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture, including physical and psychological abuse. Military courts and special tribunals frequently try Baloch activists without fair trial standards, further denying them justice. Additionally, media censorship laws suppress Baloch voices and conceal these abuses from the public, perpetuating a cycle of violence and impunity against the Baloch people.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
09-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Balochistan: BLA claims it killed Pakistan Army-backed leader in IED attack
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group in Pakistan-administered Balochistan, claimed responsibility for a remote-controlled IED attack that killed top members of an alleged Pakistani army-backed killing squad read more Amid the brewing tensions in the region, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for a remote-controlled IED attack that killed Muhammad Ameen, one of the prominent members of an alleged 'Pakistani army-backed killing squad'. On Monday, BLA accused Ameen of taking part in all sorts of military operations, enforced disappearances, and targeted assassinations in the Zamuran region in Balochistan. 'Agent Muhammad Ameen, a prominent agent of the occupying Pakistani army's so-called killing squad, and his son were both neutralised by Baloch Liberation Army fighters. BLA liberation fighters used a remote-controlled IED to assault enemy agent Muhammad Ameen's truck. As a result, he was neutralised alongside his son, Naveed Ameen, and his vehicle was destroyed,' BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The BLA maintained that Agent Ameen was personally involved in aiding military aggression in Zamuran and its nearby areas. The BLA also accused the kill squad leader of engaging in enforced disappearances and deliberate killings of young people in the conflict-stricken region. About the Pakistani kill squad According to the statement released by the BLA spokesperson, the so-called killing squad had the freedom to evade the army's regulations and is notorious for circulating drugs in the region. 'The same gang, led by Muhammad Ameen, was directly responsible for the martyrdom of 'BRAS' liberation fighters,' the statement further reads. It is pertinent to note that the attack from the Balochi militant group came days after Pakistan introduced a draconian law that allows Pakistan's military and intelligence agencies to detain individuals, especially Baloch civilians, for up to 90 days without charge. The Counter-Terrorism (Balochistan Amendment) Act 2025, which was passed by the Balochistan Assembly last week, allowed the detention of anyone solely based on suspicion. Shortly after the law was passed in the Balochistan Assembly, legal experts and human rights activists warned that the legislation bypasses judicial safeguards and effectively legalises the atrocities and practices already being committed by the Pakistani security forces in the shadows. Under the Act, Pakistan's Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) can now operate with expanded powers. They can issue detention orders and conduct ideological profiling of the suspects. Not only this, but military officials will now be sitting on the oversight panel, eroding civilians' control over law enforcement. For decades, Baloch civilians have been facing atrocities in the Pakistani-administered regions. This has also led to a rise in militant activities in the province. With inputs from ANI.
Express Tribune
20-04-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Tankers cash in on Karachi's thirst
In the heart of Pakistan's largest metropolis, Karachi, a silent crisis has taken root – water scarcity. Not a household is unaffected, not a street is safe from it. While residents of cities around the world debate how tackle climate change and how to convert to green energy, Karachiites are struggling to secure access to a basic human necessity: clean, safe running taps in their homes. Many a resident comes home after a hard day's work only to find no water in the house to bathe or even freshen up. The situation is not new for Karachiites; it has been an unending misery for decades. Every 10-15 days under the pretext of some maintenance water supply to the city of 25 million people is shutdown. 'This drama of maintenance or broken pipeline started a few months ago and now every month they announce that the city will be out of water supply due to reason or another,' lamented Muhammad Ameen, a resident of Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Although he regularly pays the monthly water bills, he has to purchase water tankers that charge a hefty amount. A family of five, he said, cannot function with an interrupted supply of water. Karachi is a city of extremes – where there are high-rises, there are also katchi abadis, and where there are booming industries there are also small neighbourhoods. The severe water crisis is the very core of the megalopolis; a menace created by decades of poor urban planning, institutional apathy, and the rise of an unchecked and thriving water tanker mafia. The city's water woes are not new. For years, the city has been plagued by a systemic mismatch between demand and supply. Official figures from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) indicate that the city requires 1,200 million gallons per day (MGD) to meet its domestic, commercial, and industrial needs. However, the actual supply hovers between 500 to 550 MGD, resulting in a deficit of over 650 MGD a figure that continues to grow each year. 'The demand and supply are nowhere near an ideal situation, because out of the 550 million gallons that the city receives we only get 18 million gallons which is hardly 3-4 per cent,' said Syed Sardar Shah who is in charge of the hydrant cell at KWSB. 'The city has outgrown its infrastructure. What we have today is a 1960s supply system attempting to serve a 21st-century megacity,' said Engineer Asim Rehman*, a former consultant with KWSB. 'The pipelines are leaking, hydrants are broken, and illegal connections are everywhere.' The majority of Karachi's water comes from Keenjhar Lake (via the Indus River), contributing around 600 MGD, while Hub Dam supplies about 100 MGD, although this figure fluctuates depending on rainfall and drought cycles. Water loss due to leakages, theft, and outdated infrastructure stands at an alarming 30–40%, according to KWSB estimates. Water war Karachi's water crisis is not just about scarcity; it's about inequality. In affluent areas like DHA, Clifton, PECHS, and KDA, water flows relatively regularly, albeit supplemented by tankers. In contrast, lower-income areas such as Orangi Town, Lyari, Korangi, Surjani Town, Landhi, and Baldia often face complete water shutoffs for weeks. In Machhar Colony, one of the city's largest slums, families live on just 20–30 litres per day, often sourced from communal storage tanks or bought at inflated prices. In some cases, children and women walk miles to collect water in plastic containers from tankers or wells many of which are contaminated. 'Water doesn't come to us, we have to chase it,' says Shazia Bibi, a resident of Orangi Town. 'We line up for hours when we hear a tanker might arrive and sometimes we pay 100 rupees for a bucket. Most of all, we have to use water like gold. ' The rise of the tanker mafia The water supply shortfall has created fertile ground for a parallel water economy, run by a sophisticated network known locally as the tanker mafia. This mafia is not merely a group of opportunistic drivers it is a well-oiled syndicate comprising tanker owners, operators, political liaisons, and insiders within the KWSB. According to a 2023 audit report by the Sindh Local Government Department, Karachi has 15 legal hydrants, but investigations reveal over 190 illegal hydrants operate with the system across the city. These unauthorized setups extract water from main lines, often weakening pressure in adjacent neighbourhoods. According to an agreement done in 2023, which abides tankers to sell water at a certain price, the KWSB hydrant cell regulates it through electronic slips and even gives refunds for any complaints that they receive about extra charges. 'This service is specific for legally auctioned hydrants only and we refund people their hard-earned money back if they are charged extra,' said Shah. 'For example, last week someone complained and I personally after investigating refunded 2,800 rupees to the citizen via Easypaisa,' he said, showing the receipts and the computerized system in place at the KWSB office. He also shared that the list of legal hydrants, and their mapping is available for the people to be aware of the hydrants business. Other than those legal hydrants the KWSB, hydrants cell also takes action against the illegally running the businesses, where the tankers are impounded and hydrants are also sealed. 'We 100 per cent take action where we penalize them with fines and also impound the vehicles. The maximum penalty we impose is 400,000 rupees fine and 15 days to four months of tankers not allowed to be in the business,' he explained. He added that district management takes action and has the authority to seal hydrants that are running illegally. A single 1,000-litre tanker meant to be sold between 1,200 rupees and 1,500 rupees is instead sold at 3,000 to 6,000 rupees, depending on the locality. Residents of high-rise apartments in Gulistan-e-Johar and North Nazimabad report spending up to 25,000 per month on water tankers – more than their rent or electricity bills. In a city where the minimum monthly wage is 32,000 rupees, these rates are simply unaffordable for most. 'Usually the tanker that cost 3,500 rupees goes up to 8,000-12,000 rupees when a maintenance shutdown or repair work is announced. When the tanker mafia knows that people will buy water and have no other option,' said Muhammad Saleem, who spends up to 50,000 rupees a month for water tankers. In many cases, the regular tanker drivers call and tell the clients they don't have water on them but they can get smaller tanks. Smaller tanks are half the size of a regular tank but cost the same. When residents have no other options, they will pay up. 'The mafia is everywhere. They operate with police protection, water board insiders, and even some local politicians,' said the engineer. 'It's a billion-rupee business that thrives on the city's desperation.' When the government fails Despite multiple promises, successive provincial and local governments have failed to resolve the crisis. The long-awaited K-IV Project, launched in 2007 to bring an additional 650 MGD of water from the Indus to Karachi, has been under rubble by political wars, mismanagement, and bureaucratic issues. Originally scheduled for completion in 2017, the project has seen multiple revisions. As of early 2025, only 30 per cent of the physical infrastructure is reportedly complete, and the expected operational date is now late 2026, as per updates from the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda). Meanwhile, short-term crackdowns on illegal hydrants have failed. In most cases, the hydrants are dismantled during media visits, only to be rebuilt days later. The water crisis has also become a public health emergency. With tanker water rarely filtered and often drawn from stagnant sources, waterborne diseases are spreading rapidly. According to the Sindh Health Department, Karachi saw a 30 per cent rise in diarrhoea cases and a 22 per cent rise in hepatitis A in 2023 alone. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. 'We are treating more cases of water-related illnesses than ever before,' said Dr Sarah Malik, a paediatrician at Civil Hospital. 'And it's heartbreaking because these illnesses are preventable.' Some local NGOs, like Hisaar Foundation and the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), are promoting water filtration kiosks, borewell maintenance, and awareness campaigns about water conservation. But as the summer heat intensifies and the tanker wheels roll in and around city more and more, the problem only grows deeper. In a city where water should flow as freely as its huge population, residents remain at the mercy of middlemen and mafias. The question is not just how much longer Karachi can go on like this, but why its people must keep fighting for a resource that nature provides freely and governments are meant to deliver. *Name changed to protect source's identity
