Recently on March 4, a Baloch youth was forcibly disappeared from the Khuzdar district of Pak-occupied Balochistan by the oppressive Pak Army. This incident occurred while the Pak Army carried out massive operations against Baloch communities during a house-to-house search operation in the Zehri town of Khuzdar of Pakistan-occupied Balochistan.

The missing youth is identified as Bilal Ahmed son of Ustad Mohammad Bakhsh Miraji. The oppressive army also attacked women and children during the house raid in the Zehri town of Khuzdar.

In a similar incident, the Pak Army in the Yakbuzi neighbourhood of Khuzdar, during which multiple homes were broken into and individuals were tortured. But there were no reported arrests from the aforementioned raid.

It’s important to note that these are not isolated incidents in Pak-occupied Balochistan and are documented daily, with an increase in cases of enforced disappearances. Since their forceful occupation on March 27, 1948, the Pak has always inflicted violence and atrocities on the Baloch communities.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has declared the launch of the “HumSafar Campaign” in response to the devastating floods in Gwadar, to give vital relief to those affected by the disaster. A three-day relief camp will be established throughout Pak-occupied Balochistan as part of the initiative, and it will start on 7 March 2024.

The campaign is urging people and institutions to generously offer their support. They have urged people to donate food, water filtration equipment, tents, blankets, medications, and supplies for the younger population to help the flood victims through this difficult time.

BYC team visits Jiwani

Recently on March 4, the BYC visited Jiwani (Gwadar) to assess the damage caused by the recent flooding in the region. The committee, while expressing solidarity with the impacted population, calls on Baloch communities around the world to actively participate in efforts to lessen the suffering of those affected by the Gwadar floods. It encourages people to make a contribution based on their ability to support the rehabilitation process.

Tensions among the impacted population have increased as a result of the brutal Pakistan Army and their Chinese ally’s projects blocking the natural water flow, which has caused the city to flood. The Pak establishment has long ignored and marginalized the Baloch community and neglected them in times of crisis. By prolonging a cycle of oppression and violence, the government’s actions have worsened the suffering of the Baloch people rather than assisting them when needed.

Yesterday on March 4, a team from the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) left for Jiwani (Gwadar) and the surrounding areas to evaluate the damage caused by the recent flooding in the region . Reportedly, the area has been severely damaged, leaving livelihoods, roads, and bridges in ruins.

Various localities, including Palleri, have experienced a total disruption in transportation as a result of widespread infrastructure damage. The local’s homes are in ruins and are facing a lot of challenges in getting basic necessities.
The well-known BYC leader, Dr Mahrang Baloch, called a sizable assembly in Jiwani to discuss the grave circumstances during the visit. In the absence of significant support from any authorities during difficult times, she underlined the necessity of unity among Baloch communities and the need for mutual support. She highlighted that Pakistan’s claims of developing Gwadar into a city akin to Singapore & Dubai are baseless. Infrastructural policies aimed at supporting this megaproject have resulted in floods and extensive destruction. 2: The native population of Gwadar has not experienced any tangible benefits or amenities from the megaproject. Instead, it has adversely affected their primary livelihood of fishing, leading to its destruction. These findings underscores the urgent need for academic research to accurately depict the situation in Gwadar and expose the false claims made by Pakistan.

There was a noticeable sense of destitution among the populace, with homes in Palleri, Shay Mussa, and Rahim Baksh Bazar suffering the most. Particularly affected are fishermen, who lose their boats and means of subsistence as their main source of income vanishes.
The BYC’s visit highlighted tales of exploitation and helplessness in the face of hardship, shedding light on the harsh realities that the local populace must contend with. As the neighbourhood struggles with the fallout, cooperation and teamwork become essential components in reconstructing and reinstating hope amid the debris.

The Baloch community has long been marginalized and neglected by the Pak establishment, they often fail to assist in times of crisis. Instead of offering support, the government’s actions have exacerbated the suffering of the Baloch people, perpetuating a cycle of violence and oppression.

In a recent development, the Baloch Republican Party has reported a protest demonstration in the city of Gottingen, Germany, against the ongoing military operations by the Pak Army in Pak-occupied Balochistan. The demonstration aimed to draw attention to forced disappearances and fake encounters that have led to the tragic deaths of young individuals in the resource-rich troubled region.

Protesters voiced their concerns over the continuous rise in military aggression by the Pakistan Army in Pak-occupied- Balochistan. According to their accounts, a recent military operation in Bolan specifically targeted a significant number of people, subjecting them to forced disappearances. Disturbingly, reports emerged of local homes being set ablaze and their livestock being looted during these operations.

The activists further emphasized that thousands of cases of forced disappearances persist across Pak-occupied Balochistan, with Dera Bugti as one of the affected areas. In response to these atrocities, the Baloch Republican Party appealed to international human rights organizations and the global community, urging them to take a stance against Army-sponsored terrorism.

Baloch activists, through their rallies and campaigns on foreign soil, are working to bring attention to the challenges and dreams of the Baloch people, both within and outside Pakistan.

These activists are actively participating in a petition, urging international authorities to address the ongoing hardships faced by their community. They are specifically calling on the United Nations and human rights organizations to intervene and hold those responsible for the crimes in Balochistan accountable. To ensure a thorough investigation, the activists are advocating for a fact-finding mission led by the United Nations Working Group.

Balochistan, known as one of Pakistan’s most underdeveloped regions, has faced numerous atrocities committed by the Army and its intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). These actions include abductions, killings, and torture, creating an atmosphere of fear among the Baloch people. Injustice and alienation have driven Baloch individuals to voice their concerns on the international platform against the oppression they face.

Recently, during Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan’s visit to Gwadar residents strongly protested, bringing the convoy to a standstill. The incident occurred when locals from TTSC Colony blocked Airport Road at Tahiri Plaza, citing the inadequate response to the flooding crisis in Gwadar in Pak-occupied Balochistan.

For the past six days, residents have been suffering as their homes have been submerged in 5 to 6 feet of water due to flood in the region, with no assistance from the district administration and provincial authority. The torrential rains have not only left large areas inaccessible but have also resulted in a shortage of essential supplies, exacerbating the challenges faced by the people of Gwadar.

Protesters urged immediate and robust relief efforts in the rain-affected regions, emphasizing the need for prompt rescue operations. The situation in Gwadar mirrors the plight of other areas in Pak-occupied Balochistan, where floodwaters have breached residential areas, causing significant damage and hampering the delivery of aid.

Gwadar’s Paradox

Notably, the ongoing heavy rains have not spared Gwadar, prompting residents and organizations to hold the Pakistan and Chinese projects accountable. The projects of the brutal Pak Army and their Chinese ally have obstructed the natural flow of water, leading to the inundation of the city, and heightening tensions among the affected population.

The much-hyped infrastructure projects that the Chinese promised the Army at the cost of the Baloch community have fallen short; locals grapple with basics like clean water and electricity. And the recent rains have further exposed the city’s vulnerability. The promised benefits of development seem elusive for those it aimed to uplift.

This prompts us to ask who truly benefits from Gwadar’s development. While the Army and Chinese revel in newfound prosperity, the true owners of the land struggle to meet basic needs.