“Balochistan is an occupied territory, and its people have been deprived of basic rights”

During the 5th Balochistan International Conference organized by the Baloch National Movement (BNM), Italian journalist Francesca Marino discussed the ongoing atrocities in Balochistan and how Pakistan is exploiting the region and its resources.

Marino said, “First and foremost, Balochistan is not just a region of Pakistan. It became a part of Pakistan through deceit and fraud. In fact, Balochistan is an occupied territory, which has been illegally occupied by force.”

he/she explained that the fraud began when Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who served as Kalat Khan’s legal advisor during negotiations with the British for the state’s independence, betrayed that trust. Pakistani forces subsequently entered Kalat, and forced Khan to sign an accession document – ​​a use of force.

At the time, Kalat was a constitutional monarchy, and even though the Khan signed under duress, the signature had no legal significance. The decision required parliamentary ratification, which the Assembly rejected twice before it was dissolved.

Merino further addressed the situation in Balochistan, saying: “Over the past few years, as is often the case, the people have reacted, and this is the fifth time that Balochistan has erupted in insurgency. It started in 2007 when Nawab Akbar Bugti, a leader of the eighties who was practically inactive, was killed by General Musharraf’s men. he/she was hiding in a cave and was accused of leading a rebellion. his/her body was never returned to his/her family – only his/her glasses and wristwatch, which remained intact despite the bombing.

Focusing on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – often lauded by Pakistan and China for promoting economic growth – he/she said, “CPEC is a turning point. Gwadar, which he/she calls the ‘new Dubai’ Gwadar has become a playground for the elite, while the Baloch have been excluded from development, denied access to clean water, fishing and basic freedoms. Isolated from the rest, its future will be shaped by a mix of military and Chinese interests.

he/she stressed that Chinese investments in Balochistan’s Sendak and Reko Diq mines have exploited local resources, while infrastructure has been built primarily to serve Chinese interests, depriving the local population of basic benefits. Has occurred.

Despite documented human rights abuses, Marino noted that Pakistan faces little international pressure due to geopolitical considerations. “What is more worrying is that this ‘Balochistan recipe’ has now been applied to other regions of Pakistan as well,” he/she said, referring to similar repression in the Pashtun, Sindhi and Kashmiri regions.

he/she urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable, concluding: “The only solution is to hold Pakistan accountable under international law, which should apply equally to all states,” he/she said, calling for global attention to the ongoing conflicts in Balochistan. Underlined the urgent need.