Baloch in Karachi ask not for entitlement, only equal rights
Speakers from different political parties attended the conference organised by the National Party on Sunday, presided by the party’s Dr Abdul Malik Baloch.
It is important to move the youth so that they can be educated and work towards the community’s development, said the participants.
“People in this city are being targeted according to which community they belong to, not political party,” said senior vice president of the party, Senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo. “Karachi belongs to the Baloch - but they are not fighting for its ownership or economy, only for survival.”
Asad Iqbal Butt of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said that the Baloch’s issues should not be separated from the turmoil Balochistan is going through.
Dr Yaseen, Zain Bux Azad, Prof. Akhtar Jan Baloch, Hayat Baloch, Saadia Baloch, Iqbal Baloch and others said that the Baloch of Lyari were considered as diehard supporters of the Pakistan Peoples Party but were yet to receive their rights.
“Outsiders are now claiming that this city belongs to them,” said senior politician, Usman Baloch. “We made this city - we need to involve ourselves in politics now.”
Habib Hasan of the Lyari Resource Centre highlighted unemployment, lack of education and political alienation as the main problems.
“They tried to turn us into Red Indians and we are considered ‘Dalits’,” said Hasan. “Our children will fight for their rights because our ancestors were denied theirs. Give them their due share and the country will see how much potential the Baloch have.”
In Sindh Minister Rafiq Engineer’s opinion, Baloch were the indigenous people of Karachi but were lacking in education. “Our children and youth need to concentrate on peace and education so that they can enter mainstream politics,” stressed Engineer. “Everyone has the right to live without threats to their identity.”
Noor Muhammad, Sardar Bashir, Latif Baloch, Akram Baloch, Allah Bux Bozdar, Sardar Kamal Khan, Amin Dost and others urged the government and political parties to deal with these issues before ‘it’s too late’.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 24th, 2012.
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Who own Baluchistan, Hasil Bizenjo, Zardari, or Bugti tribe. Must shake hand with " Karachiwala," to gain good brains in building industrial, educational, and social foundation. The Urban youth must come to stay in Rural Baluchistan Setting so the Baluchis gain from their professional and urnan cultural background. Its time the Baluchis invite Karachiwala to their land like the Sindhi. Open up Baluchistan with heart, mind, and wecoming arm. The inequality will slowly reduce and we will move Forward.
Baloch are being treated in an inhumane way in their native homeland of Balochistan. Lyari used to be the center of Baloch nationalism in 1970s and was very peaceful. It was made a mess by Zulfiqar ali bhutto and his successors for their vested interests. Whatever is happening in Lyari is a reaction to all the atrocities against Baloch and sadly Operations are only launched in Lyari. Everyone knows who has the most weapon and armed men in Karachi and no operation against them.....
Last month I was in Karach so planned to visit hawks bay. On the way near mauripur balouch were firing police told us that 'if you want bullit keep going else return back'. Education/Health should be available for everyone as well as tax must be payed equally. At giving tax rural areas run away.
@ Shahid Mengal
on the contrary whoever goes nearby Lyari are slaughtered mercilessly . At least be fair
If the Balochs are deprived they should ask their represenatatives of the last 65 yrs why decapitate innocent people and stuff in gunny bags .
Lyari is the den of vice , of drug peddlers and sattakhanas .Everybody knows that ,
the baloch community is facing severe persecution in karachi.They have been left at the mercy of target killers and extortionists who are harassing baloch ppl all over karachi.There are no-go areas in karachi where baloch people can't enter.This is a systematic campaign against the baloch people by a political party.The baloch of karachi are being made to live as second class citizens in their own motherland.
The dead bodies of Baloch boys in gunny bags are being found regularly in karachi.The Baloch face ethnic cleansing in Karachi.They're not much educated so don't have government jobs and have no representation in the media.The ethnic cleansing of baloch in karachi receives no condemnation.The Baloch people are being threatened and bullied in Karachi.
No one can differ with this just demand, but are the settlers in Baluchistan treated fairly?
These conferences and seminars will not serve the purpose. Everybody knows the root causes like lack of education, health and employment etc. I wonder why the stakeholders do not take the practical steps. I have seen people from lyari are superb at technical skills. Sports is thre life blood than why not any NGO with the proper homework establish a technical centres, sports academies and health centres. "Action speaks louder then words"