Karachi: Amid the war-like conditions in Balochistan, the Baloch middle class has spearheaded a movement through the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). Recognizing the need for a strong political stance against the Baloch genocide, the BYC has resolved to escalate its efforts into a comprehensive political movement.
Consequently, the BYC is restructuring its organization to better facilitate this new phase of political movement and preparing to hold a large Baloch Raj Machi (Baloch national gathering) in July of this year.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a prominent political activist and significant voice across Pakistan, held a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Thursday, June 13, 2024. She explained how Balochs have been victims of genocide by the state and its brutal policies. For decades, Balochs have suffered severe human rights violations.
The situation worsened for BYC members and every Baloch when the BYC, along with the victim families of Balochistan, led the march from Turbat to Islamabad, culminating in the long sit-in during the unbearable winter weather. Regardless of the state’s violent behavior, the BYC has been peaceful throughout all its activities and will continue to remain so in the future, as it believes in a peaceful movement.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch led the presser along with the BYC members Lala Abdul Wahab Baloch, Sibagatullah Shah, Dr. Sabeha, Hafeez Baloch, and Arif Baloch. Numerous activists and journalists attended the press conference.
“Balochistan has needed a strong political movement that truly represents Balochs. Now, the time has come to establish such a significant political movement,” said Lala Wahab.
One of the participants, Hazaran Baloch, remarked that it was the same press clubroom where they had held press conferences without any journalist coverage. She mentioned they had organized the press conference, recorded it, and then left the press club. She added emotionally that now the room was filled with people.
New Organizational Structure
The BYC has reviewed its structure critically and decided to form a new framework to organize a movement against Baloch genocide, with the intention of bridging different political parties and social forces within Baloch society.
The BYC has formed a central organizing body with Dr. Mahrang Baloch appointed as the Central Organizer and Lala Wahab Baloch as the Deputy Organizer. During the organizational formation, an interim constitution and manifesto were approved, alongside the establishment of a central working body. Dr. Mahrang emphasized the importance of Baloch sympathizers becoming of BYC and actively supporting its movement against Baloch genocide.
She responded to the question that since returning from Islamabad, the missing persons issue continues unabated. Emphasizing the abduction of Baloch students, the BYC will continue to be their voice, as it has been in the past, and plans to hold a protest as well.
Dr. Mahrang stated that Missing Persons Committees have not played a role in bringing Balochs back; instead, enforced disappearances are used as a tool to suppress people. Institutions like the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Balochistan operate above the law, with no institutes in the country to protect Balochs. Further added that she would encourage a joint movement across Pakistan regarding the missing person issue. Sibagatullah Shah
Dr. Mahrang faces treason charges and harassment
The BYC members, including Dr. Mahrang, have been targeted and harassed for months. Nearly 25 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against her and her members in fabricated cases. She revealed that her peaceful political activism has also put her family in jeopardy, with threats and harassment directed at them.
During her recent visit to Norway, Dr. Mahrang faced severe online and in-person harassment by state-sponsored people. Consequently, PEN Norway issued a statement condemning the persecution she faced.
Meet the journalists at Karachi Press Club
Dr. Mahrang thanked Saeed Sarbazi, president of Karachi Press Club (KPC) for supporting the presser. She especially appreciated Saeed and KPC’s role in strongly condemning the May 18 incident at Quetta Press Club, when the BYC was barred from holding a conference both BYC and Quetta Press Club members were threatened.
To some extent, she appreciated that journalists are covering our events nowadays, especially when they become international issues. Dr. Mahrang emphasized that every issue should receive fair coverage. She urged the Pakistani media to fulfill their responsibility, posing the question of whether it was the duty to conduct investigative journalism in Mashkay; a small Balochistan town where military forces allegedly made Balochs do forced labor.
“The Balochs have paid a heavy price, losing Kareema Baloch and countless others. Now, our voice is being heard,” she stated.
Saeed stated that Karachi Press Club has a history of not bowing down to authoritarianism. We have upheld our commitment to free speech. Unfortunately, media owners have polluted the industry by prioritizing business interests.
While sharing Balochistan’s war-like situation with journalists, Sibagatullah Shah recounted how the military has treated Balochs. He highlighted an incident on August 26, 2007, when the military opened fire on Balochs while chanting “Nara-e-Takbeer, Allah Hu Akbar.
Sabeha mentioned that in Karachi, snatching occurs daily, while in Balochistan, daily incidents of killings and abductions take place.
“We have to be killed for our voices to be heard,” Dr. Mahrang said passionately. “The media cannot truly represent marginalized people unless it prioritizes business over truth.”
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