Latest news with #non-Baloch
Hans India
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Pakistan: Rights group accuses authorities of conducting surveillance, harassing Baloch protesters in Islamabad
The Baloch families sit-in in Islamabad demanding the release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and an end to enforced disappearances in Pakistan's Balochistan continued for the 26th consecutive day on Sunday even as the BYC accused the Pakistani authorities of maintaining road blocks, conducting surveillance and harassing protesters instead of addressing their legitimate demands. According to the BYC, Baloch protesters, including elderly women and young children, continued to stay on the roadside without shelter amid scorching heat as authorities did not allow them to set up a camp. The protesters held the banner with the message "Stop Collective Punishment" and "Release BYC leaders." The banners also featured pictures of BYC leaders, including Mahrang Baloch. In a statement shared on X, BYC stated: "Today marks the 26th consecutive day of the Baloch families' sit-in in Islamabad, held to demand the release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and an end to enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Amidst scorching heat, these families including elderly women and young children remain on the roadside without shelter, as authorities continue to deny them the right to set up a camp." "The road to the Islamabad Press Club remains sealed, cutting them off from the space traditionally meant for victims to raise their voices. Instead of addressing their legitimate demands, Pakistani authorities maintain road blockades, conduct surveillance, and harass participants," it added. On August 8, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed grave concern over the escalating human rights crisis and deteriorating state of fundamental rights and civic freedoms in Balochistan. A report of the fact-finding mission of HRCP titled 'Balochistan's Crisis of Trust' revealed a disturbing pattern of continued enforced disappearances, shrinking civic space, erosion of provincial autonomy, and unchecked impunity - conditions that continue to fuel public alienation and political instability in the province. "Enforced disappearances emerged as the most urgent and widespread human rights concern during the mission. Testimonies from political leaders, civil society actors, and law enforcement officials collectively point to the scale, impunity, and evolving character of this practice. Accounts suggest that the phenomenon, far from being isolated or exceptional, has become systematic, thereby undermining the rule of law and severely eroding public trust in state institutions," the HRCP report read. The rights body also called for independent investigations into alleged reprisals against those who speak up against enforced disappearances. The mission noted that "while militant attacks targeting ordinary citizens, including non-Baloch settlers, are indefensible and must be prosecuted, the passage of the Anti-Terrorism (Balochistan Amendment) Act 2025 is deeply problematic". It mentioned that "the law permits 90-day detentions without meaningful judicial oversight, raising concerns about the potential for torture and abuse". The mission urged the Pakistani government to withdraw the Act and instead ensure that all counterterrorism efforts comply with the country's human rights obligations. According to the report, electoral manipulation and the political sidelining of nationalist parties have severely undermined public trust in democratic processes in Balochistan.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan bus attack: Baloch rebel check IDs, kill 9; ‘terrorists took documents,' official says
Nine people were shot dead by rebels in Pakistan's Balochistan province late Thursday after they were pulled off passenger buses. The victims were targeted based on their identity cards showing Punjab origins, as per reports. According to Dawn, two buses travelling from Quetta to Punjab were intercepted near Sur-Dakai along the Loralai-Zhob highway. Armed men reportedly blocked the road, boarded the vehicles, and began checking passengers' CNICs. Those identified as residents of Punjab were taken off at gunpoint and later killed. 'The terrorists forced the two passenger buses to stop on a highway and pulled nine passengers out. They took them in an area nearby and killed all of them,' said local official Naveed Alam, speaking to AFP. District administrator Saadat Hussain confirmed that the bodies were later recovered from the roadside. 'The forces found the dead bodies all belong to different areas of Punjab,' he told AFP. 'The terrorists must have taken the passengers' identification documents with them,' AC Alam told Dawn. While no group initially claimed responsibility, the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLA) later took credit. The group has waged a long-running insurgency against the Pakistani state, frequently targeting non-Baloch civilians and military personnel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Beachfront Living in Mumbai at Sunteck Beach Residences Sunteck Realty Learn More Undo The Baloch insurgency, which seeks independence from Islamabad, has intensified in recent years despite claims by Pakistani authorities that it is under control. President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the killings, blaming 'terrorists from the outlawed BLA' for seeking to destabilise the country. The killings echo a similar attack last year in which 23 passengers were killed. Human rights groups and separatists have accused Pakistan's security forces of brutal counter-insurgency tactics, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Republic of Balochistan announced' trends on social media as Baloch leaders declare independence from Pakistan
'We have claimed our independence' Live Events Call for UN peacekeeping mission Free Balochistan Movement leader requests India to rename Jinnah's House to 'Balochistan House' (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The " Republic of Balochistan announced " began trending on social media after Baloch leaders, including activist Mir Yar Baloch , declared Balochistan's independence from Pakistan. The announcement came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following recent cross-border military operations. Mir Yar Baloch, a known writer and advocate for Baloch rights, issued the declaration through a series of posts on platform X. He urged the Indian government to allow a Baloch embassy in New Delhi and called on the United Nations to send peacekeeping forces to Balochistan while asking the Pakistani army to withdraw from the region. The announcement followed India's Operation Sindoor on May 7, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK).Mir Yar Baloch claimed that Baloch freedom fighters had attacked Pakistan's gas fields in Dera Bugti, an area with more than 100 gas one of his posts, he said, "A possible announcement soon should be done as the collapse of the terrorist Pakistan is near. We have claimed our independence and we request India to allow Balochistan's official office, and embassy in Delhi."He also made an appeal to the international community. "We also ask the United Nations to recognise the independence of the Democratic Republic of Balochistan and call a meeting of all UN members to lend your support for recognition.""There must be a release of billions of funds for currency, and passport printing," he asked for immediate international action. "We urge the UN to immediately send its peace keeping missions in Balochistan and ask Pakistan's occupational army to vacate the territories, air space and sea of Balochistan and leave all the weapons, and property in Balochistan."He added, "All non-Baloch personnel in the army, frontier corps, police, military intelligence, ISI, and civil administration must leave Balochistan immediately."He mentioned plans to form a government in the region. "The control of Balochistan will soon be handed over to the new government of independent Balochistan state and a transitional conclusive interim government will soon be announced. Representation of Baloch women in the cabinet is the fulfilment of commitment to our nation.""The state ceremony of the independence government of Balochistan will take place soon. We invite the head of the states of our friendly countries to witness the national parade and bless us," he another post, he wrote, "Hey Na-Pakistan. If you have an army, we Baloch have our army too. Baloch freedom fighters attack."BLA claims attack on Pakistani militaryA video has also surfaced online showing a utility vehicle carrying Pakistani military personnel being destroyed. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the blast and said 14 Pakistani soldiers were Marri, the London-based president of the Free Balochistan Movement, recently said that India should hand over Jinnah's House in Mumbai to the Baloch people and rename it 'Balochistan House'. He said this site, where Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah once planned India's partition, should now be a place for Baloch leaders to plan their own independence. Marri also said that once Balochistan gains independence, Pakistan will no longer exist. In an article published by Balochwarna, he accused the United Nations of lacking neutrality, claiming it has ignored the Balochistan issue since 1947 while Pakistan continues to exploit it for political purposes.
