Baloch voices silenced: a tale of repression in Lyari

BYC highlight Baloch repression, from unmarked graves to Lyari's police crackdown, ahead of January 25 Remembrance Day

On January 7, 2025, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) held a press conference at “Dasht Kabristan” in Mastung, a cemetery containing over 100 unmarked graves. Most of these graves lack names, with only a few bearing numbers like “114.” This solemn venue was chosen to highlight the nameless graves, decades of political repression, human rights violations, and economic marginalization endured by the Baloch people.

Addressing the press, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a BYC organizer, said, “Hundreds of Baloch individuals, forcibly disappeared by the military and intelligence agencies, have been subjected to brutal torture and killed. Their mutilated bodies have been buried as ‘unknown’ across Balochistan.”

The BYC has declared January 25 as Remembrance Day to honor the victims of enforced disappearances, a date inspired by the discovery of the Tootak mass graves in 2014. To commemorate this, a large gathering will be held in Dalbandin, Balochistan, alongside rallies and mobilization efforts across the region.

However, as these efforts gained momentum, the state’s response revealed the lengths it would go to suppress dissent.

The Lyari Crackdown

On January 18, A young Baloch woman Sammi Deen, was being pulled and beaten by the police, her chadar slipping from her head, her hair scattered and exposed—a scene captured on social media. Among the Baloch, the chadar represents the dignity and honor of women, a symbol deeply intertwined with societal values. Even as she struggled under the assault, Sammi tried to hold her chadar in place, but the sheer force used against her made it impossible.

A woman being beaten in the streets by male police officers, her chadar falling in plain view of the cameras and media, is a sight that cuts deep into the heart of Baloch society. It is a humiliation that stokes the fires of enduring hate as Baloch Society is very sensitive when it comes to women and their dignity.

In another video circulating on social media, a journalist is seen being mishandled by the police. Amid the chaos, a Baloch girl confronts the officers, shouting loudly, "Don’t drag her—she is not a Baloch!"

BYC organized a mobilization rally in Lyari, Karachi, as part of its campaign for the January 25 event. Spirits were high as activists and supporters gathered in Mira Naka, Lyari—a neighborhood historically central to Baloch politics. However, their optimism was soon crushed.

A heavy Sindh Police presence blocked roads, determined to stop the rally. Protesters were met with baton charges, force, and arrests. Among those detained were prominent BYC leaders, including Lala Wahab Baloch, Sammi Deen Baloch, Fozia Baloch, and Amna Baloch, alongside many others.

The arrests created chaos, as those who escaped detention scrambled to locate their comrades. Lawyers and activists searched more than seven police stations, including Kharadar, Baghdadi, Chakiwara, Rasala, Garden, and Kalakot, only to be told at each station that no such arrests had occurred.

Fozia Baloch: A Survivor’s Account

One of the arrested activists, Fozia Baloch, recounted the ordeal:

“When we arrived at the venue, the police had already initiated a crackdown, arresting protesters, including elderly Qazi Aman and BYC leader Lala Wahab. Sammi Deen and Amna Baloch were manhandled, beaten, and dragged into a police van. I was filming when they came for me too.”

Fozia described how she was not only beaten but also harassed:

“They tried to arrest me, and when I resisted, they beat me. They threw me into the police van where three men were already seated. Instead of handling me properly, they tossed me directly onto the men. I asked for a separate seat, but they ignored my discomfort, forcing me to sit beside a male officer.”

Dragged from one police station to another, Fozia was locked in a cell at Rasala Police Station for five hours. She was insulted, called a “terrorist” and an “ignorant Baloch,” and coerced into recording a video denying mistreatment.

“They took my phone, searched me repeatedly, and even knocked on the washroom door while I was inside. It was humiliating,” Fozia shared.

Sammi Deen’s Testimony

BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch also described the harassment she faced during her arrest:

“When I arrived, Lala Wahab and others had already been brutally arrested. The police demanded we stop protesting, but we continued peacefully. They responded by arresting our male members. Only two female constables were present, yet male officers forcibly detained us.”

An eyewitness who followed Sammi confirmed she was taken to Kharadar Police Station. However, when activists approached the Station House Officer (SHO), they were met with a dismissive response:

“Once we get a call from above, Sammi will be released—but she’s not under our custody,” the SHO said.

Meanwhile, BYC activists staged a protest outside the Kharadar Police Station by 9 p.m., after which Sammi was finally released—from the very station that had denied holding her.

Sammi highlighted the systemic discrimination:

“Whenever Baloch people attempt peaceful protests in Karachi, the police impose Section 144 to shut us down. Yet, they turn a blind eye to plainclothes individuals beating us. The law is enforced only when it serves their agenda.”

Scattered and Forgotten

The arrested individuals, including women, were scattered across multiple police stations, with no clear information about how many had been detained or where they were held. It wasn’t until their eventual release—and through their own accounts—that the extent of the crackdown became clear.

More than 25 participants of the rally were arrested that day. While the women were released after several hours, the men, including Lala Wahab, Qazi Aman, and Sarfaraz Baloch, were remanded to custody. By January 21, they were finally granted bail and released.

A History of Resistance in Lyari

Dr. Mahrang Baloch explained Lyari’s historical significance:

“During British colonial rule, the Baloch Nationalist Literary Movement was founded here. After Partition, the Baloch Students Organization (BSO) emerged in Lyari. It has always been a hub for Baloch political and cultural movements.”

However, she noted how the State has consistently suppressed Baloch resurgence in Lyari:

“Over the years, we’ve seen repeated attempts to prevent Baloch politics from regrowing in Lyari. The recent crackdown is just another example of this.”

The Bigger Picture

Despite the crackdown, the BYC remains resolute. Dr. Sabiha, a central BYC leader, stated:

“Violence fuels resistance. The more they suppress us, the greater the resistance becomes. The Malir rally, held just 24 hours after the Lyari crackdown, is proof of this.”

The treatment of women during the crackdown has particularly enraged the community.

“Seeing Baloch women being dragged and beaten, their chadars thrown aside—this plants seeds of greater hatred in the hearts of the Baloch people,” Dr. Mahrang warned.

A Call for Remembrace

The events in Lyari underscore the challenges faced by the Baloch people in their fight for justice and dignity. The BYC’s determination to hold the January 25 Remembrance Day gathering in Dalbandin reflects their commitment to their cause.

As Dr. Mahrang Baloch said:

“These unmarked graves are a reminder of the lives stolen from us. We owe it to them to keep fighting, to ensure their stories are not buried along with their bodies.”