Baloch People Continue Protests in Gwadar Despite Crackdown by Pakistani Forces

In Gwadar, Balochistan, the Baloch people, led by the Baloch Yakhjeti Committee (BYC), are continuing their sit-in protests despite facing strong opposition from Pakistan’s security forces. Similar protests are happening in other parts of the province as the Baloch people rise against ongoing oppression by the Pakistani state.

The BYC stated, “Despite the continued use of force and violence by the state, the morale of the sit-in participants is high. We have made it clear to the state from the very beginning that we will not be weakened by the use of force and violence, nor are we in the habit of bowing down to force. If the state is interested in using more force than this, then surely it can fulfil its interest, but this popular resistance struggle cannot be ended by the use of force in any case.”

Baloch activists claim that the state is intensifying its crackdown on peaceful protesters, leading to increased casualties and injuries among civilians. The BYC alleged that the Sindh police attacked a peaceful protest organized in solidarity with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s Baloch Raaji Muchi, resulting in the arrest and detention of many peaceful protesters, including women.

Zarwan Baloch, a representative of the Baloch Students Organization, said, “The occupying Pakistani state has kept the market of immense cruelty hot in Balochistan, which has created a humanitarian crisis. In recent days, the Baloch nation has united and protested against the ongoing oppression, which the occupying Pakistan has tried to sabotage brutally. Gwadar has been under siege for several days, and the state has closed the roads across Balochistan, causing people to suffer under the scorching sun. The cruel and oppressive Pakistani state’s use of indiscriminate force on peaceful Baloch protesters shows the false face of the occupying state. Many Baloch people have been martyred and injured due to the unbridled firing by the enemy’s security forces, while many political workers are imprisoned in illegal prisons.”

Despite the ongoing protests, the Baloch organization has kept a line open for negotiations with the government. Their demands include stopping the use of force against the participants of the Baloch National Gathering, releasing all arrested participants, and opening all highways in Balochistan.

Reports suggest that Pakistani forces have imposed a curfew in the region, even as the sit-in continues. A one-day national gathering has now turned into a week-long protest. Activist Mahrang Baloch stated, “Baloch people, this struggle is a patient and long struggle, for which Jihad is necessary and victory in it will be of strong morale and spirit dedicated to sacrifice. We are sure to fight this state at every step and carry forward this struggle, and victory will be ours.”

For now, the Baloch protests show no sign of waning, leaving the Pakistani establishment with much to think about.