Balochistan: Ex-CM says death squads are still active and dangerous for society

QUETTA: A protest rally was organised in the capital of Balochistan on Sunday under the auspices of Bramsh [Baloch] Solidarity Committee Shawl (Quetta).

A large number of women and children, including leaders of pro-Pakistani parliamentarian parties and Pashtun Protection Movement, participated in the demonstration in front of the Press Club in Quetta to express their support and solidarity with victims of state-backed death squads.

The rally and demonstration were to condemn the Dazen incident and highlight the ongoing criminal activities of the Pakistan army in Balochistan through its proxy death squads.

The current ongoing wave of protests across Balochistan has been triggered by the death of Malinaz Baloch and wounding her 4-year-old daughter Bramsh Baloch on May 26, 2020, by state-backed criminals during an act of robbery.

However, another Baloch woman Kulsoom Baloch was killed during a similar robbery at her home in Dazen are of Tump, Balochistan on the night of 15th of June, 2020. She was reportedly stabbed three times on both sides of her stomach and her throat was slit.

The former Chief Minister of Balochistan and Chief of Sarawan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan Raisani also attended the protest rally and in his address, he appealed to the Baloch Pashtun political and leadership to unite and raise their voice against the ongoing atrocities against in Balochistan.

“Baloch Pashtuns, Seraikis and Sindhis are systematically being divided and pitted against each other. The people of the Balochistan are being brutally trampled and when they raise their voice against such atrocities, they will be kidnapped and their lands will be occupied. It is necessary to hold accountable these scoundrels and government-sponsored miscreants,” Raisani said.

He said that the government [of Pakistan] was abducting [Baloch] people and desecrating our women by violating the sanctity of Baloch values and code of honour.

He said that Death Squads were still active today were a threat for the common people of Balochistan than for the government.  “Hence we have to hold them accountable for their atrocities against our people.”  

Young Baloch activist Dr Mahran Baloch said that the more atrocities by state [Pakistan] would ignite more resistance from people.

She said two Baloch women have been killed in district Kech in one month and similar incidents happened in the past as well. However, this time people have risen against and the entire Balochistan is united against these atrocities, she said.

Veteran Baloch leader and National Democratic Party chief Dr Abdul Hai Baloch also strongly condemned the killing of Baloch women and emphasised on the unity of Baloch, Sindhi and Pashtuns to challenge state violence.

The other speakers included BNP (Mengal) central leader Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani and Mir Mohi-ud-Din Lehri, Javed Baloch, Niaz Baloch of NP, Malik Naseer Shahwani, Ali Ahmad Langu, Syed Zubair Shah Agha of Pashtun Protection Movement and Abdul Qadeer Baloch vice chairman of Vice for Baloch Missing Persons.