“Oppression, brutality of state of Pakistan in Balochistan crossed all limits and extremes”: Baloch activist Mahrang

Prominent Baloch activist Mahrang on Monday highlighted the oppressive and brutal treatment of the region by the Pakistani state.

She said that the oppression and brutality of the state of Pakistan in Balochistan has crossed all limits and extremes and every home and household is affected by state oppression and there is widespread protest.

In a post on X, she said, “The oppression and brutality of the state of Pakistan in Balochistan has crossed all limits and extremes. At present, every home and household is affected by state oppression and there is widespread protest.”

She also informed that currently, sit-ins, protests and strikes are ongoing in various places in Balochistan.

“Sit-ins are ongoing in Hub Chowki and Hoshab against the enforced disappearance of Zubair Baloch, while in Shaheed Fida Chowk in Turbat, the families of Shaheed Zarif and Shaheed Naveed are holding sit-ins and strikes against the extrajudicial killing of their loved ones,” added the post on X.

A protest demonstration is being held in front of Baloch University today at 4 pm by the Baloch Solidarity Committee in support of the protest of the families of the forcibly disappeared Zubair Baloch, Shaheed Zarif Baloch, and Shaheed Naveed Baloch.

“You are all requested to join the protest and express solidarity with these families,” Mahrang Baloch appealed.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee, a prominent Baloch rights group, reported increasing threats from authorities.

“The ongoing protests in Kech and Hub Chowki are facing increasing repression and threats from the authorities. At Kech, the Frontier Corps (FC) has imposed a curfew, creating a climate of fear among protesters. Protesters are being harassed at various locations, with reports of FC personnel snatching mobile phones to intimidate and suppress their voices. In Hub, the district administration has issued direct threats, warning that they will crack down on the protesters if the demonstrations are not withdrawn. This heavy-handed approach has escalated concerns for the safety and well-being of the protesting families and participants,” it said.

“Most of the protesters are women, children, and elderly individuals who are already enduring immense suffering. Instead of addressing their legitimate grievances, the authorities are resorting to harassment, intimidation, and threats, further exacerbating their plight. We call upon all concerned citizens, civil society organizations, and human rights advocates to raise their voices against this injustice and ensure the safety of those exercising their fundamental right to peaceful protest,” the rights group appealed.