7 days of “Hunger Strike Till Death” for Release of BSO Leader Zahid Baloch

A native resident of Naal, Khudzar, Zahid Kurd Baloch joined the Karachi Baloch Student Organization (BSO) in 2003, while studying at Urdu University in Karachi.  "BSO is a student organisation that is championing the right Baloch people through peaceful means. Only students who are studying in a educational institution can be members of BSO."  In 2004 he became president of BSO-Karachi Zone.  Zahid became a member of the BSO-Azad Central Committee in 2006, 2 years later he was elected as General Secretary of BSO.    After four years of dedicated service in the Central Committte, the central council elected Zahid Baloch as Chairman of BSO-Azad in 2012.

Throughout his career with BSO-Azad, Zahid Baloch has been an active member of the organization conducting peaceful protests and delivering inspirational speeches.  Under the leadership of Zahid Baloch, BSO-Azad has demonstrated their commitment to democratic values and peaceful activism.

On March 18^th 2014 multiple eyewitnesses including Senior Chairperson of Baloch Student Organisation (Azad), Banuk Karima Baloch saw Baloch Student Organization Azad Chairman Zahid Baloch blatantly abducted by Pakistani Agents during a raid on a BSO-Azad meeting in Quetta.  According to BSO Leadership "Zaheed Baloch, Kareema Baloch and other BSO leaders were coming out of a meeting when they were stopped by Frontier Corps personnel on the Satellite Road in Quetta at 5pm. The paramilitary personnel took him away after a few minutes of on-spot interrogation."

Zahid Baloch is the latest in a long line of BSO-Azad leaders, workers and activists abducted by State Forces.  In June of 2009 BSO-Azad Senior Vice Chairman Zakir Majeed Baloch was abducted from Quetta, Balochistan.  Since Pakistan unjustly imposed a ban on the Baloch Nationalist group in 2013, State Agents, Army, and proxy death squads have continually abducted and assassinated their members. 

On April 22^nd 2014 BSO-Azad representatives held a press conference to announce BSO-Azad Central Committee member Lateef Johar’s intent to “Hunger Strike Till Death” at the Karachi Press Club to protest the enforced abduction of Chairman Zahid Baloch.  Since that day, BSO-Azad Central Committee member Lateef Johar has been encamped alongside other BSO-Azad activists and supporters.  BSO-Azad and their supporters have expressed serious concern about the well being of Chairman Zahid Baloch and believe he could be extra judicially executed at any moment.

During the press conference Senior Chairperson of the Baloch Student Organisation (Azad), Banuk Karima Baloch said “Although BSO-Azad has been strictly committed to its democratic struggle; powerful Pakistani state elements could never tolerate our mere existence. From past 5 years, there has been an unannounced deadly crackdown against BSO-Azad that has left hundreds of our peaceful activists being abducted and dozens extra judicially murdered. In addition, BSO-Azad has also been unlawfully banned to carry out any political activity. Despite all of these brutalities, BSO-Azad has not compromised its principal of peaceful democratic struggle.”  Banuk Karima Baloch urged the UN to ensure the protection of the BSO-Azad hunger strike protesters currently engaged in a peaceful demonstration.

BSO-Azad also announced a nation-wide strike on April 25^th 26^th & 27^th 2014.  The strike call was supported by all the Baloch Nationalist parties, and resounded throughout Balochistan.  Vacant streets and closed shops were the scene as towns, villages, cities, urban and rural alike observed the BSO strike call.  Noshki, Kharan, Bisema, Sohrab, Mastung, Mangocher, Khuzdar, Naal, Mashkai, Awaran, Turbat, Geshkor, Panjgor, Passani, Tump, Gawader, Jewani, Passani, Geshkor, Mand, Hoshab, Jaho and many other Balochistan towns have completely shut down.  In addition to shutter down strikes, BSO-Azad Hoshab, Mashkai & Karachi zone members held rallies and protests against the illegal abduction of their chairman Zahid Baloch.  BRP & BRSO have also held protest rallies in Shapuk Kech and at Karachi Press Club against the abduction of BSO leader Zahid Baloch.

    

On Sunday April 27^th Baloch activists in the UK also held a demonstration to protest the extrajudicial abduction of BSO Azad Chairman Zahid Baloch outside the Prime Minister’s Office at 10 Downing st.  An online petition has been created at Change.org by Human rights activist Tarek Fatah urging United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay to “Intervene with the Pakistan Government and the Pakistan Army to secure the release of Zahid Kurd.”

BRP, BYW, BNM, BNV, BSF all Baloch pro-independent parties have voiced their condemnation of the illegal abduction of BSO-AZAD chairmen Zahid Baloch aka Baloch Khan and continue to urge to International Human rights Organization, United Nations and Amnesty International to play their role to facilitate the release Zahid Baloch.

The Baloch Human Rights Council of Canada attended a briefing in Toronto on gross human rights violations by the theocratic regime against people of Al-Ahwaz, Turkmenistan, South Azerbaijan and Balochistan.  During the April 24^th conference BHRC-Canada informed Honourable Bob Dechert about the recent illegal abduction of Zahid Baloch, Chairman BSO (Azad) by the Pakistani security forces (ISI, Frontier Corps) and that his life is in extreme danger. BHRC representative urged Mr. Dechert that Canadian government must act urgently to save life of Zahid Baloch by asserting diplomatic pressure on Pakistani authorities.

On April 26^th a local journalist interviewed BSO-Azad wise Chairperson Banuk Karima Baloch & BSO-Azad CC member Lateef Johar.  During the interview Lateef Johar stated “We are students. Our weapons are pens and books.”, “We do not believe in violence. We believe in fighting for our rights through democratic political means.”  Lateef went on to say “We have lost leader after leader, worker after worker.  First they picked up Zakir Majeed about whom we have no news. They picked up Kumbar Chakar, Comrade Qayuum, Shafiq Baloch, and Raza Jahangir most of them members of the central committee. Over a hundred of our workers have been killed,”  When asked what would happen if BSO-Azad Chairman Zahid Baloch is not released, Lateef Johar responded “it’s possible my hunger strike till death not help to release Chairmen Zahid Baloch, but after my death make a question on the  world students, education friends, human friends why Lateef Johar sacrificed his life.”

Over the course of the past 7 days, Lateef Johar’s health has significantly deteriorated as a result of his hunger strike till death.  Suffering from extreme dehydration and severe abdominal pains, Lateef Johar continues to maintain his “hunger strike till death” refusing food & drink until BSO-Azad Chairman Zahid Baloch is recovered.  Earlier today, Lateef was joined by his 2 children Doda & Qambar.  BSO-Azad representatives declared that if Lateef Johar should embrace martyrdom as a result of his hunger strike another BSO-Azad leader will take his place and continue the “hunger strike till death” demonstration until BSO-Azad Chairman Zahid Baloch is released.

Voice for Baloch Missing Person Chairman Nasarullah Baloch, wise Chairman Mama Qadeer Baloch, General Secartry Banuk Farzana Baloch, Nationalist Leader Banuk Horaan Baloch and Sister of Wadood Raisani held a press conference at the Quetta Press Club this weekend to show their support for the BSO-Azad demonstrators in Karachi and promote international awareness of the enforced disappearances & extrajudicial killings in Balochistan.  In a statement VBMP Leaders said   “We appeal the EU, United Nations, Amnesty International and all other international human rights organisations to put pressure on Pakistan for the safe release of Baloch student leader Zahid Kurd Baloch and save the life of Zahid Baloch.” The VBMP Leaders expressed their frustration with the Pakistan Judiciary stating that “we have no faith in Pakistani court and justice departments but we will continue to raise the issue of enforced-disappearance at all forums so the world can see that we have tried all peaceful and democratic means of struggle.”

On April 27^th Pakistan Security Forces illegally abducted 6 people in the Awaran region of Balochistan.  Among the abductees was the owner of the Petrol Pump.  Meanwhile in Khuzdar Malik Yousuf s/o Baloch Khan was killed by unidentified gunmen in Khuzdar.

 

In Mashkai Occupational State Forces bombarded the home of Jumma Baloch on Friday April 25^th.  Babul Baloch s/o Jumma Baloch was Martyred during the attack and three others including Jumma Baloch were abducted by State Agents.

The remains of Ayoub s/o Faqeer and Asif s/o Dad Mohmmad were found, riddled with bullets, in Kech, Turbat on April 23^rd.  On April 21^st Abdul Majeed was abducted in Khuzdar by several armed people, while in Nasirabad a school teacher was also abducted.  On April 20^th Occupational State Forces arrested five people while conducting raids in RD296 district of Quetta.  Security Forces also conducted arbitrary raids in the Isplinji district of Mastung; torturing residents and looting homes in the area. 

April 19^th In Turbat, the bullet riddled remains of Islam s/o Nako Kalag were discovered in the Chahsar Cross district.  The bullet riddled remains of Samad Baloch s/o Rustam Baloch were found dumped on Saturday in Quetta.  Two days prior to the discovery of his remains, Samad Baloch was abducted by State Agents.  Also on Saturday In Kalat Mohmmad Akther was killed by unidentified gunmen.  In Gwadar, Security Forces raided the homes of local Baloch residents.  Security Forces detained the inhabitants and subjected them to acts of torture.  Saleem s/o Chota was abducted during the State military operations.  The invaded homes were looted of valuables and livestock.

Army Helicopters Bombard Several Regions in Balochistan this week

In Protest of the Grave Human Rights violations occurring in Balochistan, the Baloch National Movement conducted demonstrations on April 15th in front of the Amnesty Intl. Office in London, UK.

20 Heavily Armed Pakistan Army Helicopters converged on Kohistan Marri last night to conduct a ruthless assault upon the region.  Occupational State Forces proceeded to heavily bombard the rural town killing several local inhabitants.  Countless Kohistan homes were reduced to smoldering ruins and the residents’ livestock was killed during the siege.

Pakistan Security Forces have abducted four Baloch residents from the Kulanch Belar region of Gwadar during an ongoing military operation in the area.  The Gokdan, Turbat, home of Martyr Gajain s/o haji Subzal was invaded by Pakistan Armed Forces today.  Soon after the remains of recently abducted & extra judicially executed Gajain s/o Haji Subzal was returned to his family, Security Forces stormed their home looting valuables & livestock.

An unidentified body was found in the Hub River of Balochistan today.  Local officials have sent the body to the local hospital for identification.  Meanwhile in New Kahan, Quetta, Pakistan Security Forces abducted Sher Mohmmad Marri r/o Yousuf Goth, Karachi.  Yesterday in Quetta unidentified gunmen killed Habib-ur-Raheman on Qambrani road.  Elsewhere, in Danbooli, Sibbi, Two truck drivers were abducted by unidentified gunmen.

Afghan Voice - Four Bugti IDPs abducted by Pakistani intelligence agencies

Pakistan Intelligence Agents raided the houses of Bugti family IDPs (Internally Displaced People) living in the Saeedabad town of Nawabshah, Sindh yesterday.  Pakistani Agents abducted Four Family Members; Dur Mohammad s/o Jeyand Bugti, Ramzan s/o Yehand Bugti, Rozi s/o Ramza Bugti & Wazir Khan s/o Pathan Bugti, during the home invasions.

In 2006 renowned Baloch leader Shaheed Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was Martyred during a heavy handed military operation conducted by the Pakistani Army.  Since then hundreds of thousands of Bugti tribesmen have been internally displaced as a direct result of the ongoing relentless military operations in the Dera Bugti regions of Balochistan.  

Bugti IDPs have been habitually targetted by Pakistani Death Squads.  Since 2009 the Bugti Refugee Camp in Spin Boldek Afghanistan was attacked on 5 seperate occassions by ISI sponsored Death Squads. Bugti IDPs living in Punjab & Sindh have also been attacked & murdered by these Death Squads on numerous occassions.

Baloch Youth Wing - Kill and dump policies of the state continue in Balochistan

Balochwarna News - Detailed report on Pakistani security forces' atrocities

Afghan Voice - Occupational State Forces Intensify Attacks in Balochistan.

Occupational State Forces and their Death Squads continued their Relentless Military Aggression throughout Balochistan this week.  In the Patfeedar, Mohan Pat, RD238 and other adjoining areas of the Sui, Dera Bugti, Pakistan Armed Forces carried out several Intense Military Operations. On April 16^th Occupational State Forces Bombarded houses in Civilian Neighborhoods throughout Dera Bugti.  Dozens of houses were destroyed during the assault and many residents were abducted, among them was RD238 resident Haji Nawab Din Habibani bugti.  State Forces also conducted home invasions in the region, looting valuables & livestock and performing Acts of Torture upon the inhabitants (incl. Women & Children).  The same rural communities were recently assaulted by Heavy Mortar Shelling and Intense Gunfire only six days earlier; on April 10th. Since then Countless homes have been destroyed and the surviving residents are left injured and destitute.

On April 14th Panjgur residents were Terrorized by unidentified armed militants. The home of Faisal Naseer was fired upon; fortunately no casualties have been reported. Meanwhile, in the Sande-Sar district of Panjgur, Moheem s/o Haji Bahar was abducted by unidentified gunmen. On April 13th Pakistan Armed Forces invaded a number of homes in the Panjgur region Detaining and Abducting the residents. As well as subjecting Civilian Families to acts of Torture, including the Women and Children, State Forces also looted their homes of valuables and livestock.

Since the Pakistani Army launched a full scale invasion of the region on January 23rd, Panjgur has been under near total Military Occupation. Occupational State Forces commenced a series of regular military operations in the rural Panjgur towns, ransacking homes and abducting the residents. Gunship Helicopters, Mortars, RPGs, and many other forms of Heavy Artillery are often employed to indiscriminately bombard the villages.

Pakistani Gunship Helicopters bombarded the Sarona & Garu districts of Johan Kalat on April 8th resulting in the deaths of five local women. Two days after the attack, the Fearless Baloch Freedom Fighters stormed the Pakistani Forces Camp near Kharan inflicting heavy casualties. The next day Pakistani Forces retaliated against civilians in Kharan. Hikmat Jbari’s shop was raided, two people were abducted, and 3 motorcycles were also seized by State Forces from Gowash rd. In response to Pakistan’s continuous military presence in Kharan, residents conducted a peaceful demonstration and workers strike yesterday. Local demonstrators protested the Pakistan Army’s violent campaign in the region.

Violence continues unabated in Balochistan’s capital city of Quetta this week. On April 15th an unidentified body was found in Hazar Gnaji. On Monday Two people, one male and one female, were injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a local bus en route from Khjdar to Karachi. Fareed s/o Mahmood was killed and two others injured when Target Killers opened fire on Saryab road. Meanwhile in the Kuchlaak district, another unidentified body was recovered Monday. In the nearby Mastung region, unidentified gunmen abducted Attaullah Shawani & Abdul Sattar Shahwani. Three Quetta residents were also killed in the Saryab rd. area in two separate incidents during the weekend. On Saturday Najee-ul-Allah & Jumma were killed, and on Friday Gull Shah was killed by unidentified gunmen.

On April 16^th in the RD238 area of Sui, Dera Bugti, locals discovered the bullet riddled remains of Baloch Activist Khaleef s/o Balaach Bugti.  Khaleef was recently abducted by Pakistan’s ISI agents in Shubat pur.  Abdul Rasheed was assassinated in Sharag by unidentified Target Killers, Meanwhile in Gwadar, the tortured remains of Yousuf Baloch were recovered.  April 15^th in Sohren Koh Mand, Shareef s/o Ghulam was assassinated by unidentified target killers. Tuesday in Bolan Sibi, gunmen killed two unidentified people. On April 12th in Hoshab a group of unidentified gunmen abducted a local resident. Locals reported the gunmen pulled up to the victim & took him in a car. In Naal Khuzdar, Ghulam Nabi was injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire yesterday. On April 11th Sher Ali Kungrani Marri was killed in Sibi by unidentified gunmen.

April Military Operations in Balochistan have resulted in over 100 Civilian Deaths. The deployment of Gunship Helicopters and Indiscriminate Shelling of civilian towns & villages has resulted in the wholesale slaughter of innocent civilians in Balochistan. Despite cries from Baloch Activist Groups, International Human Rights Activists & other humanitarian organizations for intervention in Balochistan, The Pakistan Army blatantly continues to engage in severe human rights abuses with absolute impunity. Every moment the international community spends debating & discussing, the suffering in Balochistan is compounded exponentially.

IVBMP - Canadian foreign affair’s minister expresses concerns over Human Rights Violations in Balochistan

In a recent letter to the Coordinator of the International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird expressed his concerns about the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan.“The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Canada’s foreign policy and I have noted with concern the reports of forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.”

Mr John Baird further said, “The Government of Canada strongly condemns acts of persecution on the basis of ethnicity or religion and shares international concerns about the treatment of Pakistani minorities, including the Baloch. Canada takes every appropriate opportunity to express its views to the Government of Pakistan regarding its international human rights obligations and the need to ensure the safety and well-being of all its citizens, regardless of ethnicity or religion."

Pakistan Army Bombards Kalat Civilians

Early Monday Morning, residents in occupied areas of Balochistan witnessed dozens of Cobra Gunship Helicopters, military vehicles, and Fighter Jets converging on the mountainous Parudh district in the Kalat region.  Pakistani Spec Ops Commandos attempted to surround a Baloch Liberation Army camp.  A fierce battle against the encamped BLA forces ensued.  Despite intense bombardment, and a fierce firefight, only 3 Sarmachar embraced Martyrdom before the BLA Forces repulsed the Pakistani Commandos.

Balochwarna News - 3 members of Baloch Liberation Army embraced martyrdom in Kalat

Baloch Youth Wing - Martyr Ameer-ul-Malik

According to a report released by BLA representatives, Prominent BLA Commander Pullain Shaheed Sangat Ameer-Ul-Malik, alongside Martyr Gazzen Baloch and Martyr Shera Baloch broke through enemy ranks and inflicted heavy losses upon the Pakistan Army before they embraced Martyrdom.  At least 10 Pakistani Commandos were killed and 1 Gunship Helicopter was shot down during the Battle of Parodh.

Sangar Publications - Pakistan army massacred more than twenty Baloch

Balochwarna News - Pakistan Army Conducts Ruthless Bombardment of Kalat Region

After their defeat at the Battle of Parodh, Pakistani Forces exacted their revenge upon the civilian inhabitants of Nemargh, Shoor, Nushki, Suraab districts and several other rural areas in the Kalat region.  To conceal their crushing defeat at the hands of the BLA, Pakistan Frontier Corps heavily bombarded the rural Baloch villages with mortars and gunship helicopters.  At least 30 local Baloch civilians were massacred during the attack, and another 24 abducted. 

Numerous women and children were killed during the onslaught, among them; 8 year old Safullah Baloch s/o Jan Muhammad Baloch, 5 year old Nisar Gul, and two children of Baloch Political Activist Najeeb Baloch.  6 year old Bibi Nasra and 25 year old Jan Muhammad were among the countless injured residents.  

More than 20 homes were reduced to smoldering ruins during the indiscriminate bombing of the region.  Among the houses destroyed were the homes of Mohmmad Ali s/o Mohmmad Khan Saasoli, Faqeer Mohmmad s/o Saleh Mohmmad Saasoli, Manda Khan s/o Sabzo Saasoli, Daadsha s/o Jaam Saasoli, Sher Mohmmad s/o Meer Taur Khan Saasoli.

Balochwarna News - Hyrbyair Marri condemns attacks on common people

BBC Urdu - Hyarbyair Marri condemns the killing of ordinary people

In an interview with BBC Urdu, Baloch nationalist Leader Hyarbyair Marri condemned the killing of unarmed innocent civilians and the brutal military operation in Kalat, stating; “Pakistani Military have tortured and beaten Women & Children.  Security Forces claimed to have killed Baloch Separatists, but Army Forces spread only lies, the 30 people killed were totally unarmed local civilians.”  Hyarbyair Marri explained that the Baloch Nation’s willingness to engage in serious talks, but their agenda is nothing less than absolute freedom for Balochistan.  Hyarbyair Marri expressed concerns regarding the relevance of negotiation with a government who is admittedly powerless over their own military forces.  In a statement regarding the mandate of Baloch Liberation Forces, Hyarbyair Marri said “If Pakistan army and security forces, jet and tanks withdraw from Balochistan, the international community intervenes and the Baloch people have the power then the world will know that Baloch want only independence.”

To Protest the Pakistani Armed Forces massacre in Kalat, the entire Baloch nation observed a province wide shutter-down strike on April 8th.  According to local sources, Kharan, Turbat, Hoshab, Awaran, Mashkai, Panjgur, Buleda, Tump, Mand, Pasani, Gwadar, and many other Balochistan towns were completely shut down by striking workers & businesses.  Calls to strike were promoted by Baloch National Movement and Baloch Student Organization, and supported by Baloch Republican Party & Baloch Youth Wing

The rural communities of Monjro, Reko & Lijje Tok were invaded & occupied by State Forces on April 8th.  Local homes were looted of valuables, and set ablaze.  Local livestock is slaughtered, and residents are being detained and subjected to acts of torture.  Pakistani Armed Forces have since cordoned off the entire area.  Injured residents are trapped without medical care & unable to leave to seek medical attention at regional hospitals.

On April 9th Pakistani Forces abducted 13 Baloch citizens while conducting military operations in the various districts of the Nasirabad region and In Windar, Balochistan, Paind Khan Marri & Ghulam Din Marri were abducted by Pakistani Agents.  On Wednesday unidentified gunmen killed one and injured two others in Mach, while in Turbat an unidentified body was found dumped in the region.  In Sindh Province, Security Forces raided the home of JSMM Leader Shabir Mallah, killing his livestock and subjecting the women & children of his family to acts of torture.  On April 10th the remains of Abdul Samad was found in Suraab, and in Killi Sama, Quetta, the remains of Amanullah Baloch were also recovered today.

Since late last week Pakistan Army Forces have forcefully occupied the entire Mashkai region, and established a massive Army Fortress. Mashkai residents’ reported that Pakistani Soldiers set up fortified Army Camps in the regional schools, converting the classrooms to detention centers & torture cells.  Local sources have revealed that Pakistani Forces in the Mashkai region have been conducting relentless military operations throughout the week.  At least 8 Local homes have been looted & burned this week.  Inhabitants are detained & tortured, and their livestock is slaughtered by the occupational State Forces.

To protest the military occupation of the Mashkai Girls High School, a large number of Baloch girls and women held a rally.  Participants marched throughout the region and sat for several hours chanting slogans at the regional Girls High School. 

One of the local demonstrators stated that “the pakistani army have made camp in our Schools, which is destroying our upcoming generation’s lives. One side our kids have been massacred by earthquake and other side several people have been dead and injured by army firing. A 10 years old child who’s belonged to Nokoji and resident of Waleed his family killed and injured. People have insecurity about Army’s presence in the region which forced thousands of family to move, they are living different areas of Balochistan without any Government relief.”  

Although Mashkai schools remained open, the local teachers & students are reluctant to return to classes, fearing the heavily armed Pakistani soldiers encamped within their schools. These intimidation tactics seem little more than a deliberate attempt by the occupational state to deprive Baloch residents of education and facilitate the oppression of the entire Baloch nation.

Bugti Colony, Zafar Colony and other districts in Sui were attacked by State Forces On April 6th. During the attack, Pakistani Forces abducted Husaain Bugti & his brother Hassan Bugti. Local homes were invaded by soldiers; looted of livestock, valuables, and even their vehicles. The inhabitants, including women & children, were interrogated and subjected to acts of torture.

Pakistan Armed Forces continued their relentless assault in Panjgur throughout the weekend, raiding local homes and abducting the inhabitants. Victim’s homes are looted of valuables & livestock and the residents are detained, interrogated and subjected to acts of torture. 

One such abductee has reported that during his detention & interrogation, Pakistani Agents presented a list of 700 names of local Baloch residents slated for abduction. Among those listed was his brother’s name. The anonymous detainee was cleared of any involvement in freedom movements or nationalist activism and released soon thereafter. Occupational State Forces abducted Martyr Abid Saleem Baloch’s father from his home on Friday, and the next day local shopkeep Sher Jan s/o Haji Amjed was also abducted during the attacks

Representatives from Countries around the world will be attending Norway’s Annual Conference “The Oslo Freedom Forum” on May 12th until May 14th. The Baloch Republican Party will be attending the conference to expose the severe ongoing Human Rights Violations in Balochistan.

The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons announced the conclusion of demonstrations in Karachi last Sunday. VBMP representatives will be relocating their protest camp to Quetta to continue their campaign to create awareness of the 20,000 Baloch citizens abducted by State Forces

Oppression of Baloch Culture during Gwadar Business Deals with Chinese Investors

A Baloch Bookshop keeper was abducted on April 1^st during raids conducted by Pakistani security forces in Gwadar.  Pakistan’s strict censorship policies outlaws; writing, reading, and selling of any material considered to be critical of the Pakistani government.  Well known Balochi writer Major Majeed’s books were among the allegedly “controversial” material Security Forces found within the book store.  Earlier today reports have surfaced of several other book and music shops throughout Gwadar & Turbat being systematically raided by Pakistani Security Forces.  Security Forces have abducted several shopkeepers, and confiscated Balochi books, magazines and cassettes deemed controversial during the raids.

Pakistani authorities in Gwadar have announced a May “deadline”for their free trade zone “master plan”.  Occupational government officials hope to impress Chinese investors with a “comprehensive business and marketing plan”.  According to the Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Dostain Khan Jamaldini, Islamabad has already signed over full control of the region to Beijing.  The Gwadar Port Authorities met with with a delegation of Chinese businessmen, earlier this week, to discuss investment opportunities in the Gwadar “free trade zone” region.

On March 31^st Pakistani Armed Forces began a series of violent attacks in the Panjgur region of Balochistan.  During the attacks, five people were abducted from the Koh, Sabz, Charowan, Sohr, Gari districts.  Yesterday Pakistani Forces abducted eighteen more local civilians from the Gramkan district.  Since the initial invasion on Monday, Pakistani Soldiers have conducted relentless attacks upon Baloch towns & villages in the Panjgur region for several days.  Panjgur residents have rallied at the District Commissioner's office, staging peaceful protests against the abduction of their family members and violent military occupation of their towns.

The Occupational State Forces attacked another Baloch School on Friday March 28th while conducting Military Operations in Panjgur, Balochistan. This time a small rural high school, the Martyr Muslim High School, was raided by Pakistani Forces. Witnesses report the school teacher was subjected to Acts of Torture and the school’s blackboard was removed. On the same day in Washbood, Panjgur, Pakistani Security Forces invaded the home of Master Jalil and Abducted his relative Qambar s/o Master Safdar.

 On March 30th, Khuzdar officials reported the unearthing of three more bodies from the vicinity of the Totak Mass Graves discovered in January this year.  Regional sources have reported as many as 15 bodies may have been recovered from the newly discovered mass grave.  Occupational State Media continues to significantly downplay the magnitude of the Mass Graves.  Despite local reports of 169 bodies in the first three graves, and 15 more in the newly discovered grave, the State News maintains that 13 bodies were recovered in January & only 3 more yesterday.  The bodies recovered on Sunday have been shifted to a nearby civilian hospital for potential identification.

Pakistan’s Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani had summoned the Balochistan Inspector General early in February and even announced the formation of a “judicial commission”, headed by High Court judge Justice Noor Mohammad Muzkanzai, to conduct a ‘transparent’ investigation of the discovery of the Totak mass graves. Since the investigation began, the entire region has been under strict military lock-down and investigators have not released any reports or announced any progress.  Although two months have passed, since the inquiry was launched, only two of the bodies have been identified.

Today in Karachi, the BHRO held a demonstration at the Karachi Press Club to raise awareness of the severity and magnitude of the #MassGraves in Khuzdar.  Protesters hope to persuade international human rights organizations to take notice of the severe human rights abuses in Balochistan and send impartial investigators to expose the severity of the Mass Graves.

On April 2nd in Satellite Town, Quetta, three people were killed and several wounded when unidentified Target Killers opened fire on their vehicle.  Among those injured were two women.  The victims of the attack were taken to the local hospital.  Quetta police are conducting search operations in the region.  On April 1st, Hazrat-u-Deen s/o Meya-u-Deen was abducted by unidentified gunmen on Mission road, and in the Dawood district of Quetta a mutilated body was discovered.   

On March 29th, In Quetta, unidentified Target Killers assassinated Mohmmad Hussain. Meanwhile in Wadh, Khuzdar, Sardar Akhter Mengal’s security guard was killed when they were fired on by unidentified gunmen. The mutilated remains of a 14 year old boy were recovered in a Quetta rain canal on Sunday. The body was taken by officials to a local hospital for identification.

The remains of Naseem Baloch s/o Jam Mohmmad were recovered today in Kech.  Naseem Baloch was abducted several days prior by Pakistani Armed Forces during a military operation in Pidrak.  On April 1st State Security Forces abducted a Zhob resident while conducted search operations in the region.  Another person was abducted by State Forces on Tuesday in Turbat.  In Mashkai, Qadeer s/o Noor Baksh was abducted by Pakistani Agents on Tuesday. On Monday unidentified gunmen in Daadhar Sibbi abducted a local Truck Driver.

In Passani, Yousuf and several companions were killed by unknown gunmen on Sunday. Unidentified target killers also murdered another unnamed civilian in Khuzdar, and In Kech, unidentified gunmen abducted Naseem Jan. Iranian Forces again fired upon Baloch citizens travelling near the Iranian Border on Saturday. One female civilian was injured by Iranian gunfire.

The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons Chairman Nasrullah Baloch has again received threats to his life as result of his recent appearance at a Supreme Court Hearing regarding cases of missing persons in Balochistan.  Representatives from the Norwegian Mission also met with Nasrullah Baloch to discuss the cases.  After participating in 2 days of hearings on March 25^th & 26^th, Chairman Nasrullah Baloch was followed and harassed by intelligence agents who seized and destroyed his flight tickets then told him he was a traitor for speaking with foreigners about the missing persons.  Nasrullah Baloch was further detained, searched, and threatened by security agents later that day at the airport.  Nasrullah and his family have been threatened on numerous occasions throughout the past several years.  In November of 2013, his younger brother was approached by a gang of armed intelligence agents and warned that if Nasrullah continued his campaign against human rights abuses he would be “dealt with in a wrong way”.  Undeterred by threats and intimidation, the VBMP Chairman continues his crusade for the recovery of the 20,000 abducted Baloch citizens.  International Human Rights Organizations are urging Pakistani authorities to guarantee the safety of Nasrullah Baloch and other human rights activists in Pakistan.

Pakistani State news heavily censored a recent televised interview with the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons vice chairman Abdul ‘Mama’ Qadeer Baloch.  During the interview Mr. Qadeer Baloch spoke of mass graves discovered in Khuzdar, Gawadar, Mand, Basima, & Hoshab, implicating Death Squad chief Rashid Pathan along with Pakistani Security Agencies & Armed Forces in the killing of Baloch citizens & burying them in mass graves.  Mama Qadeer also stated “we no longer appeal to Pakistani institute and have already given awareness to United Nations.  Once again we will go to Islamabad to meet Members of United Nation and will request they provide security to seek out additional Mass Graves in Balochistan.”

Baloch Nationalist Leader Hyarbyair Marri recently held an interview with Express TV Journalist Javed Chahudry.  During the Interview Hyarbyair Marri stated “Journalists try to spread lies about the Long March of Mama Qadeer Baloch, and didn’t air his complete interview because in Pakistan (media) is not allowed to publish Baloch activists interviews.”  Hyarbyair Marri also described how the Durand line has arbitrarily divided the Baloch nation, stating “We have a long history with Afghanistan, we was a good neighbor with Afghanistan and had a relationship since long before the Pakistani occupation (of Balochistan).  7 million (citizens) of Baloch nationality (live) in Afghanistan.”

Despite prior agreements to air the entire uncensored interview, Express TV extensively edited the footage and released a condensed version of the video bereft of potentially controversial statements.  The uncensored interview can be viewed below in its entirety courtesy of Balochwarna News - Kohdil.

Full version of Hyrbyair Marri's interview with Javed Chahudry - UNCENSORED from Shawn Forbes on Vimeo.