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POB government enforces 90-day travel ban on PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen in POB

The occupied-Balochistan government has issued a 90-day ban on the entry of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader Manzoor Pashteen into the province. The decision, formalized through a notification by the Balochistan Home Department, prohibits Pashteen from entering any district within POB during this period.

The ban has sparked criticism from PTM Balochistan leader Zubair Shah, who said that the occupied-provincial government, under the Pakistan Peoples Party, of attempting to prevent Pashteen from attending the Pashtun National Jirga scheduled for August 25. Shah said that the move is an indication of the Pak Army’s anxiety over the growing influence of the PTM.

Zubair Shah further highlighted that the Punjabi Pak Army and its institutions appear to be in a state of confusion, noting that a significant decision regarding the 77 years of oppression, coercion, and exploitation faced by the Pashtun community will be made at the Pashtun National Court on October 11.

He criticized the occupied-government’s notification as a futile attempt to hinder Manzoor Pashteen from engaging with leaders and supporters.

False blasphemy charges lead to Christian man’s execution in Sargodha

In a tragic escalation of religious violence in Pakistan, a Christian man has been tortured and hanged to death in Sargodha, Punjab, following allegations of blasphemy. This incident is part of a disturbing pattern of religious persecution where blasphemy laws are frequently exploited against minority communities.

The victim’s death underscores the ongoing plight of Christians in Pakistan, who face severe discrimination and are often relegated to low-status jobs, such as sanitation work, and subjected to derogatory terms like “Chuhra.” These workers are frequently targeted with abusive language and marginalized in society.

In addition to this, Christian communities are facing systemic injustices, including the refusal of police to file First Information Reports (FIRs) in cases involving the rape of Christian girls. Instead of pursuing justice, authorities have been known to threaten the victims’ families, exacerbating the already dire situation for religious minorities.

These recent events highlight the entrenched discrimination, violence, and denial of basic rights experienced by Pakistan’s Christian minority. Often, such abuses arise from perceived insults to the Muslim majority and occur with minimal accountability or protection for the affected communities.

POB: BRG destroys gas pipeline, cuts off supply to Uch power plant

The Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) have destroyed a major gas pipeline in Pak-occupied-Balochistan, which led to a complete shutdown of gas supply to the Uch Power Plant.

According to a statement released by BRG spokesperson Dostain Baloch, the group targeted a 24-inch diameter gas pipeline last night using explosive materials. The pipeline, which transports gas from Sui to the Uch Power Plant, was blown up in the Rabi area of Nasirabad district.

Dostain Baloch stated that the attack has effectively cut off the gas supply to the Uch Power Plant, disrupting its operations. The incident marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict between BRG members and the Pakistan Army, with infrastructure attacks being a common tactic used to undermine control in the region.

Shutter down protest in Kharan city over abduction of Mukhtiar Ahmed Mengal

Kharan city witnessed a complete shutdown as markets closed in response to a strike call demanding the recovery of Mukhtiar Ahmed Mengal, who was abducted more than a month ago.

The strike was followed by a protest rally at Chief Chowk, after which demonstrators began a sit-in at Kharan’s Red Zone. Protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations until Mengal is safely returned.

Mukhtiar Ahmed Mengal was abducted in broad daylight on July 15 while traveling from Sarawan to Kharan. The kidnappers have reportedly demanded a ransom of 100 million rupees for his release, but occupied-authorities have yet to secure his return.

Protest organizers have issued an ultimatum, stating that if Mengal is not recovered, the sit-in will be moved to Quetta’s Red Zone. The protest, which had been ongoing at the local press club for the past 38 days, was relocated to Kharan’s Red Zone today to intensify pressure on the authorities.

Reportedly, Mengal’s abduction was carried out by a powerful group with ties to the occupied-government and Pak Army, raising concerns about the influence and reach of such groups in the region. Occupied-govt officials and secret agencies are believed to be directly or indirectly involved in the rampant theft, robbery, and kidnapping for ransom in Kharan.

All thieves and dacoits in the area operate with occupied-government support and backing. In some cases, officials from Punjabi agencies are reportedly involved in these criminal activities, which has led to the Kharan administration’s reluctance to take action against them. This perceived collusion has rightfully fueled further distrust and unrest among the local population.


Kashmir: Suspected activity triggers search operation at Kathua border

On Thursday night, security forces initiated a large-scale search operation in the border region of Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, following suspicious activity reports. Officials stated that the action was prompted by intelligence suggesting the movement of two unidentified individuals in the area.

The operation centered in the Jandor belt of Kathua, involves a comprehensive cordon and search effort. As of the latest updates, the entire zone remains under strict surveillance, with the search operation still actively underway.

Authorities have not released further details about the nature of the suspected movement or the identity of the individuals involved. The situation continues to develop as security forces remain vigilant in this sensitive border area.

Mass protest across Karachi: Justice for Karsaz Accident

The fight for justice for Aamna Arif and Imran Arif, victims of Natasha’s oppression, continues to gain momentum. A significant protest organized by Soch, Women, and the Human Rights Council of Pakistan took place at the Karachi Press Club, demanding accountability and justice.

On Thursday, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori vowed to ensure a transparent investigation into the recent Karsaz accident. Earlier this week, an SUV driver fatally struck Imran Arif and his daughter, Aamna, in a tragic incident.

Governor Tessori visited the victims’ residence in Gulzar-i-Hijri, where he extended his condolences and promised a thorough investigation into the case. He emphasized the importance of judicial oversight and called on the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court to personally supervise the proceedings.

Addressing the media, Governor Tessori assured the family of his full support and commitment to justice. He highlighted Aamna Arif’s credentials as a skilled IT professional employed at a leading software company and vowed that no one, regardless of their power or influence, would escape accountability.

Additionally, the governor offered to cover the cost of any legal expert the family may wish to hire and pledged to stay in close contact with them. He urged parents to ensure their children have proper licenses before driving, underscoring the gravity of the tragedy. Tessori also noted that public and media scrutiny would help ensure justice for the victims.

In a related development, Karachi University students held a demonstration on campus on Wednesday to demand justice for Aamna. Organized by the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT), the protest began at Point Terminal and concluded at Pharmacy Chowk. Participants carried banners with slogans such as “Stop the lies, punish the criminal” and “Justice for Amna Arif, now!”

The demonstration saw involvement from various figures, including Barrister Uzair Ghori, the victims’ lawyer; Qurat-ul-Ain from Soch Aurat Human Rights Council (SAHRC); Dr Alia Zahid Bhatti, a KU faculty member; and the IJT KU Nazim. Barrister Ghori provided updates on the court proceedings and urged students to persist in their advocacy for justice.

Qurat-ul-Ain, President of SAHRC, emphasized the fundamental right to personal and financial security, noting that students in Karachi often lack these protections. The students’ protest highlighted their demand for an immediate and fair trial, as well as improved campus security, particularly for female students.

Protest to commence against forced disappearance of Zarnosh Naseem

Civil society organizations have called for a protest tomorrow against the enforced disappearance of Zarnosh Naseem, a resident of Pak-occupied Kashmir. Naseem, a courageous son of Bagh district, has been missing since August 13.

This case marks a concerning development, as incidents of forced disappearances in Balochistan, are now being reported in Pak-occupied Kashmir. Activists warn that the situation is rapidly deteriorating, with fears of more challenging times.

The protest is scheduled for August 23, 2024, at 2 p.m outside the Islamabad Press Club. Organizers aim to draw attention to Naseem’s case and the broader issue of forced disappearances in the region.

This incident has raised alarms among human rights advocates, who see it as a potential expansion of a practice that has long plagued other parts of Pakistan. The coming days may prove crucial in determining the authorities’ response to these growing concerns.

Gwadar protests question CPEC’s ‘Game Changer’ status

While addressing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor [CPEC] media forum in November 2015, the then Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Sun Weidong, opined that he believed that “the CPEC is a process rather than just one project.”

Elucidating that CPEC would focus on four main components—cooperation in the fields of energy, transport infrastructure, industrial parks, and the development of Gwadar Port—Weidong added that these objectives would “be expanded to finance, education, poverty alleviation, and social development.” [Emphasis added].

While the Chinese envoy talked about CPEC in general, saying that “all these projects will definitely play a leading role in the construction of the CPEC in the future,” he did make one specific mention: that “Chinese companies will speed up the development of Gwadar Port.” [Emphasis added].

This announcement clearly indicates the vital importance of this port to this ambitious $62 billion project, because of which Gwadar is also being referred to as the ‘crown jewel’ and flagship of CPEC. Hence, it’s not at all surprising that a whopping $770 million has been allocated for the Gwadar port development project.

Besides extensive improvement of the port and creation of an international airport, a number of projects, like the creation of modern water treatment facilities and power plants, the establishment of the China-Pakistan Friendship multispecialty hospital, as well as the Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute, will directly help locals.

It has officially been announced that the Gwadar port project would generate a host of employment opportunities and ensure a quantum improvement in the quality of life of locals due to the commissioning of power plants, water treatment facilities, and the creation of advanced medical facilities. Hence, one had expected that this project would receive overwhelming public support.

However, the people of Balochistan in general and residents of Gwadar in particular aren’t at all enthused. Au contraire, they are protesting against this project, and the reasons for the same aren’t too hard to find. Firstly, as all these projects are being planned and executed by Chinese businesses that are using Chinese labor, there are hardly any employment avenues for the local Baloch people.

Secondly, locals are greatly agitated by the indiscriminate exploitation of Balochistan’s mineral resources and the region’s utter neglect by Islamabad. Centre for China Analysis and Strategy President Jayadeva Ranade has rightly highlighted this sentiment by opining that Gwadar additionally symbolizes the sense of alienation felt by many in Balochistan, who suspect that most of the benefits of the CPEC are going to outsiders.” [Emphasis added].

Thirdly, development of Gwadar port has led to the eviction of several locals from the houses in which they have been living for ages. The perceptible negligence in the provision of essential services is perceived by many as the local administration’s cunning ploy to compel locals to leave the area on their own by creating subhuman living conditions instead of protesting against further displacement.

To add to their woes, indiscriminate use of high-powered fishing trawlers by the Chinese and restrictions on local fishing boats citing security reasons have put local fishermen who use traditional fishing methods to a great disadvantage. In garb of ensuring security of Chinese nationals working on the Gwadar project, Rawalpindi has not only fenced off this area and converted it into a fortress, severely hindering routine movement of civilians, but also unleashed an unending campaign of anti-terrorist operations in Balochistan.

Besides causing great inconvenience to locals, such a highhanded approach has further accentuated a feeling of anger and alienation amongst the Baloch people. This in turn has spurred armed Baloch groups to target CPEC assets and Chinese workers. Rawalpindi’s failure to protect Chinese nationals has annoyed Beijing, and in order to placate its ‘iron brother’ and prove that it’s doing its best, the Pakistan army has unleashed a reign of terror in Balochistan under the guise of anti-terrorist operations.  

The Pakistan army and other law enforcement agencies under its command are not only using excessive force against unarmed and innocent civilians but also brazenly indulging in extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances as a matter of routine. Besides the judiciary, legislature, and various rights groups, these excesses have even been accepted by the Pakistan army itself. 

Readers would recall that during a media interaction session on April 29, 2019, when asked by a journalist on enforced disappearances in Balochistan, the Pakistan army’s media chief replied, “We don’t wish that anyone should be missing; but when it’s war, you have to do a lot of things—as they say, all is fair in love and war; war is very ruthless”!

In an undated video recorded before Imran Khan became prime minister, the cricketer turned politician can be heard saying, Our Army [is] bombing people in Balochistan; how can we bomb our own people? Is there any army you are bombing? It is our own people with their children, but it is important to understand—are we just bombing our people? Just think about the immorality of bombing villages with the women and children.” [Emphasis added].

Like those in other parts of Balochistan, the people of Gwadar too have for more than two decades suffered immensely at the hands of security forces and law enforcement agencies led by the Pakistan army, and their patience has worn thin.

Pushed to the wall, the battered Baloch people have no other option but to protest by blocking roads and taking out long marches to draw attention to their wretched plight. The fact that Baloch women have not only started participating in large numbers but even leading these protests unambiguously indicates just how serious things are!

Unfortunately, the Pakistan army remains unapologetic and unabashedly continues its reprehensible policy of trying to crush peaceful and legitimate public dissent in Balochistan through brute force, further aggravating the situation.

Doesn’t all this adequately explain why, despite being promised a multitude of modern life-changing facilities, the people of Gwadar are still protesting?

Pak Army attacks Sindhi nationalist delegation in Hyderabad province

In a disturbing incident, a delegation from the Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM) was attacked by terrorists on Tuesday, while returning home from a visit to injured national workers at Hyderabad Civil Hospital.

The attack took place as the delegation, led by Gaurav Sindhi, was leaving the hospital after visiting workers who had been injured by Pak Army backed institutions. Unknown armed assailants launched a murderous assault on the group, leaving Gaurav Sindhi critically injured with three bullet wounds. He has been rushed to Hyderabad Civil Hospital and remains in serious condition.

JSFM has condemned the attack, saying that it was Pak Army-sponsored. “We believe this murderous attack was orchestrated by Army-sponsored terrorists. We strongly condemn this barbaric act of terrorism and appeal to international human rights organizations to take notice of the ongoing killings, looting, and brutality in Sindh and take immediate action,” said a spokesperson from the movement.

This incident highlights the broader issue of systematic persecution faced by the Sindhi people, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the suppression of religious minorities. The situation for Sindhi Hindus, in particular, has worsened, as they face discrimination in the society. Pakistan, with clearly a concept as nation is limited to Pakistani Punjabis. Any community be it Sindhi, Baloch and Pashtuns among others are discriminated and are always looked upon with suspicion. In Sindh, as organisations like JSFM have been critic of this Punjabism flavour of Pakistan, they have time and again called upon the people of Sindh to unite in the resistance against the Pak Army-run regime for the cause of Sindhudesh. This becomes one of the prominent reason that this peaceful organisation, which relies solely on measures like protests, demonstrations, etc is mercilessly targeted by Pak Army and its mercenary forces.

Nevertheless, after the incident, the Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement issued an appeal and urged global attention and intervention to address the growing violence and human rights violations in the region.