Baloch Students Action Committee Condemns Police Disruption of Book Fairs in Balochistan

The Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) has expressed strong disapproval of the actions taken by state police and local authorities in Pakistan. These authorities disrupted book fairs organized as part of the Balochistan Book Caravan, an initiative aimed at providing educational resources to remote areas of Balochistan.

According to BSAC, the book fairs, which began at the start of the new year, featured a wide range of books on topics such as politics, science, society, history, and technology. The goal was to promote knowledge and awareness among the Baloch people. However, police forces in several districts forcefully shut down these fairs, which BSAC views as an attempt to suppress the spread of knowledge.

Incidents of Disruption

The first incident occurred in Naseerabad, where a large police force dismantled a book stall. A similar event took place in Sibi, where the central leadership of BSAC and students were detained and harassed. In Kharaan, district authorities attempted to intimidate the organizers through phone calls. Most recently, in Barkhan, police raided and closed down a book stall.

BSAC's Response

Azhar Baloch, Secretary General of BSAC, stated that these actions are part of a broader strategy by the state to prevent the Baloch population from accessing knowledge. He emphasized that the suppression of educational initiatives is a deliberate effort to maintain control over the Baloch nation by stifling intellectual growth. "The state's actions are not just an attack on books, but on the very essence of education and enlightenment," he said.

BSAC has vowed to continue its struggle for knowledge and unity, resisting efforts to undermine the educational rights of the Baloch people. The committee also highlighted the lack of educational resources in Balochistan, where schools and libraries are scarce, and many children are out of school.