“Pakistan state’s oppression, brutality in Balochistan crosses all limits and extremes”: Baloch activist Mehrang

Prominent Baloch activist Mehrang on Monday highlighted the oppressive and brutal treatment of the region by the Pakistani state.

he/she said that the oppression and cruelty of the Pakistan state in Balochistan has crossed all limits and extremes and every home and household is affected by the state oppression and there are widespread protests.

“The oppression and brutality of the Pakistani state in Balochistan has crossed all limits and extremes,” he/she said in a post on X. At present, every home and family is affected by state oppression and widespread protests are taking place.”

he/she also said that at present, sit-ins, protests and strikes are going on at various places in Balochistan.

“A dharna is going on at Hub Chowki and Hoshab against the enforced disappearance of Zubair Baloch, while at Shaheed Fida Chowk in Turbat the families of Martyr Zarif and Martyr Naveed are holding a dharna and strike against the extrajudicial killing of their loved ones. ,” added the post on X.

A protest is being organized in front of Baloch University today at 4 pm by the Baloch Solidarity Committee in support of the protest by the families of forcibly disappeared Zubair Baloch, Shaheed Zarif Baloch and Shaheed Naveed Baloch.

Mehrang Baloch appealed, “All of you are requested to join the protest and express solidarity with these families.”

Baloch Yakjehti Committee, a prominent Baloch rights group, reported increased threats from authorities.

“The ongoing protests in Kech and Hub Chowki are facing increasing repression and threats from the authorities. In Kech, the Frontier Corps (FC) has imposed curfew, creating an atmosphere of fear among the protesters. Protestors are being harassed at various places, with reports of FC personnel intimidating them and snatching mobile phones to suppress their voices. In the hub, the district administration has issued a direct threat warning that they will take action against the protesters if the protest is not called off. This heavy-handed approach has raised concerns for the safety and well-being of protest families and participants,” it said.

“Most of the protesters are women, children and elderly people who are already suffering immensely. Instead of addressing their legitimate grievances, the authorities are resorting to harassment, intimidation and threats, thereby further aggravating their plight. We call on all concerned citizens, civil society organizations and human rights advocates to speak out against this injustice and ensure the safety of those exercising their fundamental right to peaceful protest,” the rights group appealed.