Distorting Reality and Hindering Peace in Balochistan
The Baloch National Movement (BNM) has redirected attention to the alleged human rights violations in Balochistan through a campaign being run in United Kingdom from April 17th to 27th, 2025. The campaign draws the attention to what the BNM describes as human rights abuses by the Pakistani government and its oppression of the person of Baloch people, specifically the actions against Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).
According to the movement, it’s proliferating its narrative by organizing events in major cities and on social media platforms, calling on the world community to pressurize Pakistan to stop, the alleged systemic violations of human rights in Balochistan. This campaign, organized by diaspora activists associated with terrorist groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Baloch Republican Army (BRA) is a highly selective campaign based on a distorted version of the truth. The movement is not being led by the activists but a faction that has had the support of anti-Pakistan lobbies and foreign sponsors. The question arises as to whether this campaign is authentic and what motives do the campaigners hold?
The campaign has been put forward in a direction that is not a true representation of reality, mainly because it ignores the fact that the BYC’s leaders have been leading illegal gatherings and have had ties with terrorist networks. Law enforcement is not an act of oppression against such groups but an effort to maintain order and prevent the propagation of extremism. It is the Pakistan government’s duty to uphold and protect national interest and national security against terrorist groups who are involved in citing violence and anti-Pakistani narratives.
In addition, the BNM does not condemn the militant groups operating on separatists’ agendas carrying out regular acts of terrorism. These terrorist group have now shifted their militant activities to Pakistani security forces, civilians and to foreigners working on development projects in Balochistan. The regular suicide bombings, targeted killings and other forms of violence are aimed at destabilizing the region and affecting Pakistan’s development efforts. Additionally, this shows the BNM’s selective bias and silence in most events, which indicates complicity with the separatist agenda. In the absence of addressing these issues head on, the BNM’s campaign in essence turns out to be a play of political theatre, far from reality of what is actually going in Balochistan.
The BNM categorically overlooks the atrocities carried out by Baloch militants and other separatist factions that have been waging violent insurgency directed against civilians, and more recently, against state officials. Attacks on teachers, engineers and laborers, and hijacking of the Jaffar Express; an act of terror against innocent people; are surely some of the most harrowing examples of violence. If a campaign is to be centered around human rights, it must remain objective and unbiased in terms of its activism rather than being blind to such human rights violations.
One of the core rhetoric around which the BNM has been working on is the case of the ‘missing persons’ a highly politicized topic within the Baloch separatist agenda. The point that is important to note is that the majority of those who had previously been declared missing reappear and are recruited to militant groups, escaping charges related to their insurgent activities. Pakistan has unequivocally had a democratic and humanitarian approach to the matter, dealing with cases of missing persons through the Commission on Enforced Disappearances. Rather than focusing on the multi-faceted approach to a solution incorporating political, legal and social aspects, the BNM simply chooses to paint a one-sided picture.
While the BNM tries to create a dire picture of the state of Balochistan, the situation is just the opposite. Several development projects have been initiated such as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Gwadar Port and the Reko Diq mining project, an exemplary commitment of Pakistan for spearheading development in the province. Moreover, these ventures have also created new opportunities in terms of infrastructure, employment and education in the region. Roads, ports and industries are being created which will pave the way for economic growth and prosperity for all locals, especially the Baloch. These developments are vital for long term peace and stability of Balochistan.
These events and campaigns taking place in the UK, and in other countries too, are essentially foreign political play, which does nothing for the Baloch people other than creating a divide between a nation. The Baloch have been forerunners of peace and regional stability, preferring progress for their people. Protest in foreign capitals and inflammatory campaigns concerning half-truths will not lead to real change and hinder the development initiatives under way in Balochistan. The path to lasting peace in Balochistan would lie in dialogue, democracy, and development. Such divisive campaigns, will prevent the true voices of the Baloch people from being heard impeding true concerns of the Baloch people and marring the said concerns by nefarious by political agendas.
About the Author:
Ms. Shayan Imran Gul is an independent researcher and Sociologist from Islamabad, Pakistan.
