ISLAMABAD: In recent months, the state’s response to the protests in Balochistan has been marked by significant controversy and criticism. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and its leader, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, have spearheaded a campaign of non-violent resistance against the Pakistani government.
These protests, while gaining traction among the Baloch people, have been met with a robust counter-response from the state, which contends that such actions are disruptive to national stability and security.
The state’s perspective is that while peaceful protest is a fundamental right, protests that align with separatist agendas or disrupt public order pose a threat to national unity.
The Pakistani government views the ongoing resistance in Balochistan as influenced by foreign-backed insurgents, rather than purely local grievances. Consequently, military operations in the region are framed as necessary measures to combat terrorism and maintain law and order.
Personal tragedies experienced by Dr. Baloch, including the loss of family members, are acknowledged but are not seen as justification for a separatist narrative. The state argues that the BYC’s activities, despite their peaceful façade, promote anti-state sentiments and a separatist agenda. The involvement of women in these protests is perceived as a tactic to garner sympathy and deflect from the core issues of militancy and terrorism.
Security measures during the Gwadar gathering, which faced restrictions and violence, were implemented to prevent potential violence or escalation by elements that might infiltrate the protest. The state’s position is that these measures were necessary to ensure public safety and prevent any potential disruption by hostile actors.
The state also disputes the portrayal of these protests as genuine expressions of widespread discontent. It suggests that such gatherings represent a vocal minority, supported by anti-state factions, rather than reflecting broader public sentiment. Claims of exaggerated statistics regarding missing persons are rejected, with the state asserting a high resolution rate for these cases and emphasizing the legitimacy of its data.
Accusations of militant infiltration into peaceful gatherings, including attacks on law enforcement and abductions, are used to support the state’s stance that BYC activities may be complicit with militant groups. This narrative reinforces the argument that the state’s actions are a necessary response to safeguard national security and prevent the destabilization of the region.
BYC and Dr. Mahrang Baloch advocate for peaceful resistance, the state views their actions through the lens of national security and stability.
The government’s approach emphasizes combating terrorism, maintaining law and order, and addressing what it perceives as external influences and separatist agendas driving the unrest in Balochistan.
The State of Pakistan has made significant strides in addressing the issue of missing persons, with the government-constituted commission reporting substantial progress. According to official data, the commission has resolved 78% of the total missing persons cases, with 8,042 cases closed out of 10,311 reported. The remaining 22% of cases, totaling 2,269, are still under resolution.
Focusing specifically on Balochistan, a region often highlighted in discussions about missing persons, the figures are more promising. Out of 2,798 cases reported in Balochistan, 2,362 have been resolved, representing an 84% resolution rate. This leaves 16% of cases, or 436, still pending resolution.
These statistics counter claims from some critics who accuse the government of exaggerating or falsifying figures related to missing persons. Official sources assert that the true figures reflect ongoing efforts to address this issue, despite the challenges and complexities involved.
The progress reported underscores the state’s commitment to resolving missing persons cases and highlights the ongoing work needed to address the remaining unresolved cases.
