Balochistan activist labels the protests as revolutionary

Revolutionary protest:  Dr. Mahrang Baloch, leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, has labeled the ongoing movement against enforced disappearances in Pakistan's troubled Balochistan region as nothing short of a "revolution." Speaking at Shahwani Stadium in Quetta, she addressed a massive gathering, of women, political workers, and students from various parts of the province.

Describing the movement against police torture and missing persons as a "watershed moment," Dr. Mahrang Baloch emphasized the collective commitment to the cause. Talking more about the revolutionary protests, "Today, the participants have proved that they are with their mothers and sisters in their struggle for the recovery of their loved ones."

The protest gained momentum four days ago when Dr. Baloch returned to Quetta, the provincial capital, accompanied by participants from the month-long sit-in that began in Balochistan's Turbat and garnered attention as it reached Islamabad.

The protest originally stemmed from the alleged extrajudicial killing of Balaach Mola Bakhsh, blamed on the Balochistan Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD). The protesters faced tear gas, baton charges, and shelling in Islamabad. What started as a demonstration against this incident transformed into a massive movement against enforced disappearances of students, political workers, and human rights defenders in Balochistan.

"In Islamabad, the policemen pulled the veil (chadar) from the heads of our women and also tortured them," Dr. Baloch recounted, highlighting the challenges faced during the march. Despite the hardships, she praised the resilience of the participants, saying, "We proudly hold our heads high because of you."

Dr. Baloch criticized the government, characterizing those in power as "deaf and dumb" who do not listen to the people. She affirmed the continuation of the struggle, declaring, "They have weapons, but we dare to continue our struggle against the atrocities and injustices."

 Revolutionary Air

Describing the gathering as "the fragrance of the revolution," Dr. Baloch stated, "The movement, which originated in Turbat after the injustice done to Balaach and his family, has now become the voice of all oppressed Baloch people." She asserted that her movement was "for the survival of Balochistan," and she pledged to continue defending it.

Other prominent figures, including Mama Qadeer Baloch, a veteran campaigner for the recovery of missing persons, Sammi Deen Baloch, and Sibghatullah Shahjee, also addressed the event, which spanned several hours.

Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least populated province, has been marred by a prolonged separatist insurgency, marked by brutal repression by Pakistani security forces and enforced disappearances. In November of the previous year, interim Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar acknowledged that, according to a UN sub-committee estimate, around 50 people had disappeared in Balochistan.

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