A civil society activist garlanding the marchers in Rawalpindi. PHOTO: AGHA MEHROZ/EXPRESS
Some are calling it the longest march in country’s history.
Weathering all odds, the Baloch marchers at last entered the federal capital on Friday.
They were joined by a large number of members of civil society and political parties who had gathered at the Faizabad interchange where they marchers plan to camp over the weekend.
Holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands, the participants of Voice of Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) caravan asked the people to join them in the cause.
“Mahatma Gandhi had hardly covered a few hundred kilometres when his voice got heard but we have covered thousands of kilometres yet there is no one to assure us of the whereabouts and recovery of our missing loved ones,” said 72-year old Abdul Qadeer Baloch whose son was allegedly killed by the security agencies.
Traffic plan was prepared a day earlier when the march reached Rawalpindi and traffic was diverted on alternative routes.
The march that set out from Quetta in October last year will hand over a memorandum to the officials of the United Nations on Monday and urge them to take notice of the target killing and enforced disappearances. They will also stage a sit-in outside the UN office.
He said they have no trust in the government of Pakistan and want to talk directly to the United Nation. “Wherever they stop us we will stage a sit-in,” he said.
Moving with slow pace, the participants remained peaceful.
“If the kill-and-dump policy did not stop the country may have to face dire consequences,” said Hamid Baloch, said an activist from Balochistan.
The Balochis have been protesting for last several years for the recovery of their near and dears but no one is hearing them and in return are labelled as terrorists and separatists. Qadeer claimed that around 1,500 persons were killed while 18,000 missing.
“The authorities should at least tell us whether they are killed or still alive. Produce them in court if they are really guilty of anti-state activities,” he demanded.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2014.
COMMENTS (7)
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we have a dempcracy in Pakistan and it is basic right of every citizen to protest we can not object. But we all Baloc know they were militants like Jalil Rekki, Zakir Majid, Majid Lango and Sana Sangat and maligned us, i mean our Baloch community. They were separatists and heve killed hundreds of innocent labourers and teachers in Balochistan to appease their foreign donors and Nawabzadas sitting abroad. Tomoro other militant commanders like Dr Alanazar of BLF and Aslam Achu of BLA will be picked by Intelligence and relatives will claim they are missing. Then why they are weeping now if they are their heros. Koi ghairat b tu karo na Baloch etne buzdil nahi hu sakte plz.
@Okara: ha ha ha......... usual Pakistani typical joke ... keep it up man (y)
This is a historical long march and Longest human rights march in world history..
Salute to all those who supported this march in any way.... However there is never shortage of people who find elements of conspiracy in it and makes baseless allegations about mysterious fundings....
These protesters are harming the national interest and promoting separatism - wonder who is funding them.
Govt, will come in action only if something threaten the high walls of "Raiwind Palace"
Till than Pakistani's you are on your own, these symbolic marchers make no difference to them.
Our PM is so busy in making a world record at the youth festival for Punjab by the title of "Most countries visited by a Prime Minister in a Year"
Unlike the cowards that claim to be religious and take recourse to violence and guns, these long marchers do not fear bullets and threats. They have placed their fate in Allah and fear none but him. Abdul Qadeer Baloch and his fellow travelers have embraced non violent protest and are walking the path of history's titans --- Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Badshah Khan. Allah will aid their spiritual progress and reward them amply for the torture suffered. These are the kind of people who have the capacity and moral rectitude to deliver the nation out of its cycle of violence and misery. Who said that Pakistan can never produce leaders but only charlatans ???
When state and its security agencies fail to protect the rights and privileges, there shall be rise of anti-state elements. Unfortunately, the history of Pakistan is filled where Pakistan has deprived its very citizens from their rights and especially, Pakistan's security agencies and Armed Forces have always prevented those who have deserve the very basic.