Pak committing genocide-scale repression in Balochistan: Activist
The situation in Balochistan, a province in southwestern Pakistan, has reached an “extremely grim” point, according to Baloch leader Mehran Marri. In a recent statement, Marri alleged that the Pakistan military is committing “genocide at full escalation” in the region. The Baloch people have long been subjected to human rights abuses and repression at the hands of the Pakistani military, but the situation has escalated in recent years, with reports of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture.
Marri’s statement highlights the severity of the situation in Balochistan, where the Pakistani military has been carrying out a campaign of repression against the Baloch people. The military’s actions have been characterized as “genocide-scale” by Marri, who claims that the situation has reached a point where the very existence of the Baloch people is under threat. The Pakistani military’s actions in Balochistan are not limited to the region, according to Marri, who alleges that the military has expanded its aggression beyond Pakistan’s borders, targeting Baloch refugees in other countries.
The Pakistani military’s actions in Balochistan are not new, but the scale and intensity of the repression have increased in recent years. The military has been accused of carrying out a campaign of “kill and dump” operations, where Baloch activists and intellectuals are abducted, tortured, and killed, and their bodies dumped in remote areas. The military has also been accused of using aerial bombardment and artillery attacks against Baloch villages, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
The situation in Balochistan has been exacerbated by the Pakistani military’s partnership with the United States and China. The US has provided significant military aid to Pakistan, which has been used to carry out the repression in Balochistan. China has also invested heavily in the region, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passing through Balochistan. The CPEC has been touted as a major development project, but it has also been criticized for its lack of transparency and the displacement of local communities.
The Pakistani military’s sense of impunity has been emboldened by its partnerships with the US and China, according to Marri. The military has been able to carry out its campaign of repression in Balochistan with little international scrutiny or accountability. The international community has been criticized for its silence on the issue, with many countries prioritizing their economic and strategic interests in the region over human rights concerns.
The situation in Balochistan has significant implications for regional stability and security. The Pakistani military’s actions in the region have created a sense of insecurity and instability, which has been exploited by extremist groups. The region has become a hub for terrorist activity, with groups such as the Taliban and Al-Qaeda operating in the area. The Pakistani military’s actions have also created a sense of resentment and anger among the Baloch people, which has fueled the insurgency in the region.
The international community must take notice of the situation in Balochistan and hold the Pakistani military accountable for its actions. The US and China, in particular, must reconsider their partnerships with Pakistan and ensure that their aid and investment are not being used to perpetuate human rights abuses. The Pakistani military’s actions in Balochistan are a clear violation of international human rights law, and the international community has a responsibility to act.
In conclusion, the situation in Balochistan is extremely grim, with the Pakistani military committing “genocide at full escalation” against the Baloch people. The military’s actions have been characterized as “genocide-scale” by Baloch leader Mehran Marri, who alleges that the situation has reached a point where the very existence of the Baloch people is under threat. The international community must take notice of the situation and hold the Pakistani military accountable for its actions. The US and China must reconsider their partnerships with Pakistan and ensure that their aid and investment are not being used to perpetuate human rights abuses.