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Baloch community observes Black Day on March 27 in Amsterdam,UK & Berlin

On March 27, the Baloch community worldwide observed Black Day, during which the Baloch National Movement in the Amsterdam in Netherlands called for global attention to the Baloch genocide and plight. They also organized a protest rally in Manchester in UK and Berlin in Germany, with protesters holding placards and banners, denouncing the forced occupation of Balochistan by the Pakistan Army.

Highlighting their struggle, protesters emphasised how Pakistan Army annexed Balochistan on March 27, 1948.

On X, Islam Murad Baloch, a member of Baloch National Movement said, “The international community must intervene in Balochistan against the violations of Baloch human rights. The human rights defenders and UN must put sanctions on Pakistan for the violations of Baloch rights. Pakistan must to leave Balochistan.”

Baloch Black Day

Balochistan has never been a part of Pakistan; it was forcefully occupied on March 27, 1948. Since then, the Baloch nation has resisted the invasion and exploitation of their homeland. Pakistan’s most resource-rich underdeveloped region has been under the oppressive Pak Army for many decades, it has continued to committing numerous atrocities, such as abduction, murder, and torture, instilling fear among the populace.

Furthermore, Baloch activists are circulating a petition, urging international authorities to intervene in the ongoing genocide of their community members. They demand that the United Nations and human rights organizations hold the responsible parties accountable for the crimes committed in Pak-occupied-Balochistan. Additionally, they call for a fact-finding mission led by the United Nations Working Group to investigate the situation.

Speakers at the gathering reaffirmed their unwavering dedication to the cause, echoing Dr. Allah Nizar’s sentiment that the Baloch struggle for independence will continue until justice prevails. They highlighted March 27, 1948, as a sorrowful day in Baloch history, marking 75 years of resistance against oppression.

Resource Rich, People Poor

In 1958, Pakistan military officer Tikka Khan brutally suppressed the first nationalist movement, earning the infamous moniker “Butcher of Balochistan.” Despite its vast mineral wealth including oil, gas, copper, and gold, Balochistan remains one of Pakistan’s poorest regions despite being its largest province.

Today, these resources are exploited by the Pakistan Army, often in collaboration with China through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a scheme vehemently opposed by armed Baloch freedom fighters.

J&K political parties applaud Amit Shah’s AFSPA revocation remark

In a significant development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah disclosed in an exclusive interview with JK Media Group that the Central government is contemplating the revocation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir. Shah emphasized the government’s intention to withdraw troops from the Union territory, entrusting law and order responsibilities solely to the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

“We have plans to pull back troops and leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police alone. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir police were not trusted but today they are leading operations. We will also think of revoking AFSPA,” stated Shah.

The AFSPA grants extensive powers to armed forces personnel operating in disturbed areas, including the authority to search, arrest, and use force for maintaining public order. Shah highlighted the government’s efforts in the North East, where AFSPA has been lifted from 70% of the areas, contrasting with its continued enforcement in Jammu and Kashmir.

Taking aim at opposition leaders Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, Shah asserted their lack of credibility on matters of terrorism, accusing them of presiding over numerous fake encounters during their tenures. He underscored the absence of fake encounters in the past five years and emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing terrorism effectively.

Furthermore, Shah outlined the Modi government’s robust measures against terrorism, including the banning of 12 organizations, designation of 36 individuals as terrorists, and extensive actions to curb terror financing. He disclosed the seizure of properties worth ₹150 crore and the freezing of 134 bank accounts, underscoring the government’s resolve in combating .Two former chief ministers on Wednesday welcomed the proposed revocation of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir, but also expressed fears that it might be just a poll promise of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Blueprint aiming gradual withdrawal of Central forces

Reportedly, the Modi government has formulated a comprehensive seven-year blueprint, aiming to gradually withdraw central troops from law and order duties in Jammu and Kashmir. Shah indicated that the blueprint is already in motion, with the Jammu and Kashmir Police assuming a leading role in anti-terror operations, supported by central forces which was not the case till past decades.

Earlier, New Delhi seemed reluctant in entrusting the front line role to state Police. He assured that assembly elections in Kashmir would be completed before September 30, signaling a commitment to democratic processes in the region.

In light of the improving situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah pledged to review the coverage of AFSPA, signaling a potential shift towards normalcy in the region. With the government’s focus on empowering local law enforcement and engaging with the youth, Shah’s announcement marks a significant step towards stability and development in Jammu and Kashmir.

Hindu businessman exposes abduction plot orchestrated by dacoits in Sindh

Hindu businessman in Pakistan has exposed his suspicious abduction plot orchestrated by the dacoits from Kashmore in Sindh. The Hindu businessman has demanded redressal from the establishment through social media as past incidents show a nexus between the dacoits and political system including the feudal landlords in Sindh.

Hindu businessman Dharmendra, son of Tarachand has insisted on the Pakistani establishment and its administration to take strict measures failing which he could fall victim to the abductions by the dacoits, a problem that has hounded the Hindu community in Sindh for over a long time.

https://twitter.com/VeengasJ/status/1772662450040533386

According to Dharmendra, his company registered as GND Commodities deals in grains across Pakistan. He says that he received a phone call informing about an FIR that has been registered against him in Kashmore Police station. On receiving the copy of FIR on WhatsApp, he was perplexed as he had no idea about the identity of the complainant and neither he had any transactional history with him.

The caller also advised him to contact the complainant and sort out the matter. However, Dharmendra being unable to verify the authenticity of the call and neither the complainant is in dismay. He stated that he can’t even go to Kashmore, citing the ongoing abduction crimes against Hindu businessmen. The dacoits have more often abducted Hindus, Christians and other minorities demanding unreasonable ransoms ranging to millions.

Neither action nor protection

To the worse, the police has failed to take strict measures against these dacoits. As per reports, these dacoits operate under the thumb of highly influential politicians, feudal lords, among others due to which they remain untouched for their crimes against minorities.

Apparently, Dharmendra’s apprehensions are not baseless, the incident underscores a possible plot for another abduction as Dharmendra is a businessman and a minority Hindu, a perfect man for dacoits to implicate.

Unfortunately, the victim has to come out over social media to seek preventive measures because the administration and establishment is busy in facilitating the perpetrators. It is distressing that neither the establishment takes suffice measures to wipe out the dacoits network nor it administers protection to the innocent and civilised minority.   

Jamal Baloch slams Pakistani media for propagating false narrative of enforced disappearances

In a heartfelt condemnation, Jamal Baloch, a prominent Baloch rights activist and media coordinator of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), spoke out against the deceptive narrative propagated by Pak media regarding enforced disappearances in the country.

In a video message shared on social media platform X, Jamal Baloch expressed his dismay over the Pakistan media’s attempt to downplay the gravity of enforced disappearances faced by the Baloch community. He emphasized that the media campaign aimed to portray the issue as fabricated, citing the case of Karim Jan Baloch as a prime example.

Karim Jan Baloch, abducted by Pakistan intelligence agencies on May 23, 2022, endured two months of disappearance before being falsely accused of possessing explosives by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on July 31, 2022. However, due to lack of evidence, Karim Jan was acquitted of all charges by the court and released on August 17, 2022.

Jamal Baloch

Jamal Baloch urged Pakistan journalists to uphold journalistic integrity and stand by the truth, emphasizing the seriousness of the enforced disappearance issue in Pak-occupied-Balochistan. “The issue of enforced disappearance in Balochistan is very severe today, and it is important that the media today become the voice of the oppressed and not become a toy in the hands of the Pakistan Army. Journalists need to find actual evidence and investigate to unearth the issue of enforced disappearances,” he said.

Jamal, who has been a victim of enforced disappearances himself, further said that “the victims of enforced disappearances struggle everyday. We cannot even imagine what the families of these people go through. These families often come out on the roads and protest to get their loved ones back.”  Moreover, he added, “They sometimes even beg the Army to either return them or bring them to court. But more often than not these protestors and family members are beaten, suppressed, forced, and even arrested to give up their protest. Media must stop the manipulation of this matter and bring the pieces of evidence to light for resolving this matter.

Since the forceful occupation of Balochistan on March 27, 1948, the Pakistan Army has consistently subjected Baloch communities to violence and atrocities. 

Suicide attack kills five Chinese nationals in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Six individuals, including five Chinese engineers, were killed in a suicide attack in Besham, Shangla district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The attack occurred when armed personnel rammed their explosive-laden vehicle into the Chinese nationals’ vehicle, leaving several others injured.

The Chinese engineers were purportedly working on a hydroelectric dam site. They left the site and were on their way to Islamabad when their vehicle was ambushed.

https://twitter.com/SmHassan082/status/1772573395168682148

So far, no organization has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the targeting of Chinese nationals suggests potential involvement from groups dissatisfied with Chinese involvement in Pakistan’s national resources, akin to the Baloch sarmachars in Pak-occupied Balochistan, who oppose projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and China’s presence in Gwadar.

Family of forcibly disappeared Amir Hamza by Pak Army demand justice; block Mastung road

In a display of desperation and determination, the family of Amir Hamza, son of Mazar Khan, has taken to the streets in Mastung, Pak-occupied-Balochistan. Blocking the road at Jungle Cross Mastung, they demand justice for Amir Hamza, who has been forcibly disappeared.

The atmosphere is tense as negotiations with DSP Mastung have hit a dead end, leaving the road closed for several hours. Amir Hamza’s disappearance adds yet another chapter to Pak-occupied-Balochistan’s long saga of suffering.

Recently, four more youths have been forcibly disappeared by the Pak Army. The enforced disappearances are intensifying every day. Along with Amir Hamza, the rest of the victims are from Awaran, Khuzdar, and Mastung, three different districts of Pak-occupied-Balochistan. Among them, two of the victims are brothers.

Since the brutal occupation by the Pakistan Army in 1948, the region has been plagued by unrest. Daily raids, abductions, and a lack of basic infrastructure have become common, leaving the Baloch population to endure untold hardships and oppression.