Expressing solidarity: Resolve issues through dialogue, not bullets

Students, activists rally against state repression, enforced disappearances in Balochistan.

ISLAMABAD:

Deemed “passive and complacent”, much has been said about Punjab about its role in (or lack of it in preventing) the enforced disappearances and killings of Balochs. Therefore, to express solidarity on behalf of the province against continued Baloch repression, Workers Party Pakistan (WPP) and National Students Federation (NSF) organised a protest demonstration across various cities in the Punjab on Monday.

The one in Islamabad took place at Aabpara Chowk and students, political activists, trade unionists and concerned citizens gathered together to chant slogans in favour of  the Baloch people and demanded that a dialogue be initiated t o resolve the issue.

While speaking on the occasion, Alia Amirali of the NSF commented, “The government only cares about Balochistan’s land and resources, not the people or their welfare.” She also stressed on the disenchantment and alienation of Baloch youth with the rest of Pakistan “because there is no space for the Balochs to secure their identity, rights and resources”.

The NSF leader also pointed out that continued inhuman treatment of Baloch youth will only exponentially increase hatred and the brutality of the civil war in the province. Furthermore, the impact of the youth’s revolt is much more powerful as it will gain momentum and perpetuate in a vicious cycle, lest the government come to their aid.

While speaking to the possibility of a separation much like the one of East Pakistan, Aasim Sajjad of the WPP commented, “Balochistan will soon reach the point of no return and until and unless the military’s control over all affairs in the province gives way to a genuine political process, there is no chance that the Baloch can be wooed back in to Pakistan mainstream.”

Sajjad also spoke about Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s media notice to tone down media spotlight on Baloch issues which he says makes a mockery of the notion of free media, as the role of media is to increase awareness on issues in country not hide them.

Similarly, Amna Mawaz, a member of NSF, commented while speaking with The Express Tribune, “Since 1947 Balochistan has been repressed socially, culturally and economically but we are gathered here today to show that we are in favour of giving Balochs equal rights on every frontier.”

The stereotypical characterisation of Baloch nationalists as sardars was also heavily criticised by participants at the protest, saying that it is the Pakistani state itself that has historically patronised the tribal elite and that the current nationalist movement is dominated by non-tribal elements. The protesters passed resolutions demanding a complete withdrawal of all state security personnel and imperialist powers from the province including the Frontier Corps, discontinuing existing ‘developmental’ projects such as Gwadar and Sainduk until control over such projects is passed solely to the Baloch people. They also called for immediate accountability of all intelligence operatives who are responsible for kidnapping Baloch youth and dumping their mutilated bodies across the province.

The demonstration came to a close but protesters echoed their collective sentiment that they will continue to stand by their Baloch brothers and sisters till justice and peace prevails.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2012.