The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has condemned Pakistan for its blatant use of anti-terrorism laws against political activists in Pak-occupied-Balochistan without any credible evidence, as the occupied-state is deliberately conflating peaceful activism with terrorism. In a scathing statement, the BYC criticized the Paki establishment for adopting colonial tactics to crush dissent and perpetuate racial discrimination against the Baloch and Pashtun communities.
The committee highlighted that the Pak Army has targeted hundreds of political leaders, activists, teachers, and students by adding their names to the “proscribed persons list”. Individuals on this list are denied their fundamental constitutional and international rights, such as freedom of speech, movement, association, and employment—rights guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The statement underscored the addition of BYC leaders Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shah Ji Baloch to the IV Schedule, a list maintained by the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA), labelling them as “proscribed persons”. The BYC called this move a reflection of the growing paranoia over political mobilization in POB, as these activists have been at the forefront of peaceful protests against Pakistan’s atrocities, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
Pak Military Crackdown on Baloch Activists
Dr. Mah Rang Baloch, now an internationally recognized human rights activist, has been vocal about Pakistan’s brutal policies in POB, exposing the occupied-state’s complicity in abductions and the operation of military-backed death squads. These squads, often working under the cover of law enforcement agencies, are known to carry out the infamous ‘kill-and-dump’ policy that has left a trail of mutilated bodies across the province. These extrajudicial killings are part of the Pak Army’s genocidal campaign to erase Baloch identity.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), have raised serious concerns over the misuse of anti-terror laws against political activists. They have called on Pakistan to immediately remove the names of activists from the banned list and respect their fundamental rights. However, the Paki establishment, driven by its colonial mindset and military ambitions, shows no signs of reversing its oppressive policies.
The Pakistan’s military establishment sees any form of political dissent as a threat to its authority. The Army’s unchecked powers in POB have turned the region into a battlefield, where anyone demanding rights or justice is labeled a terrorist. The Pak Army’s obsession with suppressing the Baloch movement reflects not just fear but desperation, as it faces growing internal and external pressure over its atrocities.
Despite the military’s relentless oppression, the Baloch struggle for survival continues unabated. “History shows that colonial powers may succeed temporarily, but peaceful resistance and justice eventually triumph,” the BYC asserted. They vowed that the Baloch nation’s fight for survival and dignity would persist until their basic right to existence is guaranteed.