Former Provincial Minister of Information Jan Muhammad Achakzai issued a threat through his social media post showcasing the true nature of the people in power. In retaliation to the recent deaths, he issued a threat to send the bodies of Baloch students studying in Punjab and those of Baloch residents in Punjab to Pak-occupied-Balochistan.
On his official “X” Twitter handle, he wrote a long threatening message to a Baloch user, stating that if the bodies of Punjabis are sent to Pak-occupied-Balochistan, the bodies of Baloch individuals will also be sent from Punjab. There are numerous Baloch students studying in Lahore, the capital of Punjab, and one crore Baloch people have been residing in southern Punjab for decades.
Later, after realizing that he had instigated the Baloch students through his hateful comment, Achakzai later deleted the tweet. However, the Baloch students and residents living in Punjab and Islamabad have been advised to remain cautious.
Baloch journalist Kiyya Baloch, based in Norway, tweeted that “the real threat to Balochistan is from people like him.”
Human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari said that “it is very alarming that a former provincial minister of Pakistan is threatening the Baloch people with ethnic cleansing on social media.”
Mazari added that “instead of dealing with freedom fighters, these individuals are threatening innocent Baloch students throughout the country, which clearly demonstrates their intentions for ethnic cleansing.”
It is noteworthy that Jan Achakzai is known to be extremely close and supported by the Pak military, having been appointed as the provincial minister of Balochistan on the Army’s recommendation. He has a history of making controversial statements against missing persons.
Abdullah Abbas, the General Secretary of the Human Rights Council of Balochistan, described the former minister’s threats of “genocide Baloch people and target Baloch students in Punjab” as “extremely alarming” and indicative of “a worrying level of hatred” for the Baloch people.
Pak-occupied Balochistan has long suffered under the unlawful control of Pakistan, dating back to 1948. Despite being rich in resources, the region has been neglected by the Pak “establishment”.
In its efforts to maintain control over Pak-occupied Balochistan, the Pak Army has resorted to various oppressive tactics. These include enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the abduction of students. Additionally, reports suggest Pakistan’s support for death squads, further exacerbating the situation.