Baloch Women Forum Condemns Detention of Baloch Girls in Khuzdar, Pakistan
The Baloch Women Forum (BWF), an organization advocating for Baloch women’s rights, has strongly condemned the unlawful detention of Baloch girls by security forces in Khuzdar district of Balochistan, Pakistan.
The BWF stated that these actions by the military, in collaboration with the administration, aim to strip the Baloch people of their legitimate rights. They warned of dire consequences if immediate resistance is not undertaken.
In a statement on X, the BWF said, “The Baloch Women Forum solemnly condemns the illegal detention of Baloch girls, including Saira Baloch and Sadia Baloch, in Khuzdar today by security forces. Such immoral and illegal acts portray the state’s clear intentions to isolate Baloch from their genuine rights. If not resisted at the earliest, we will have to face harder concerns in the time to come. We denounce and disallow such anti-law state policies towards the Baloch.”
Pakistani security forces detained several young Baloch women in Khuzdar amid rising tensions over a peaceful pamphlet distribution campaign for the ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi’ (Baloch National Gathering). The Baloch National Gathering, announced earlier this month, aims to unite the Baloch community against atrocities inflicted by Pakistan, including enforced disappearances, torture, targeted killings, and economic exploitation.
The detentions, carried out by Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, have sparked outrage among activists and rights groups, who accuse the Pakistani state of increasing its repression of Baloch dissent. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) reported that the arrests occurred on Khand Road in Khuzdar city as the women were distributing pamphlets promoting the Baloch National Gathering. Among those detained are Saira Baloch, the sister of forcibly disappeared individuals Asif and Rasheed, and Sadia Baloch, the sister of Salman.
Human rights organizations and activists have sharply criticized these actions. PAANK, the Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), denounced the detentions in a statement on X. “Pakistani forces have surrounded Saira Baloch and other family members of forcibly disappeared individuals, illegally detaining several women. PAANK condemns these actions and calls for their immediate release. Such abuses must not be tolerated,” it stated.
The BWF, along with other rights groups, is calling for urgent action and increased international scrutiny of the situation in Balochistan. The BYC has urgently appealed to international human rights organizations to intervene and advocate for the immediate release of the detained women. The escalating tensions and continued repression have raised alarms among global human rights advocates, prompting calls for immediate intervention to ensure the safety and release of the detained women.
Doubts Revealed
Baloch Women Forum -: The Baloch Women Forum (BWF) is a group that works to protect and promote the rights of Baloch women. Baloch people are an ethnic group from the Balochistan region, which spans parts of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.
Khuzdar -: Khuzdar is a city in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. It is one of the major cities in the region and has been a focal point for various political and social issues.
Saira and Sadia Baloch -: Saira and Sadia Baloch are two girls from the Baloch community who were detained by security forces. Their detention has caused concern among human rights groups.
Pamphlet distribution -: Pamphlet distribution means handing out small booklets or flyers that contain information. In this case, the pamphlets were about the Baloch National Gathering, an event for the Baloch community.
Baloch National Gathering -: The Baloch National Gathering is an event where people from the Baloch community come together to discuss their issues and rights. It is a peaceful assembly aimed at raising awareness.
PAANK -: PAANK is a human rights group that works to protect the rights of the Baloch people. They often speak out against injustices and call for fair treatment.
Baloch Yakjehti Committee -: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee is another group that supports the Baloch community. ‘Yakjehti’ means unity, and the committee works to bring people together to fight for their rights.
International intervention -: International intervention means getting help from other countries or global organizations to solve a problem. In this case, it means asking the world to help stop the unfair treatment of Baloch people in Pakistan.
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a region that includes parts of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. It is home to the Baloch people and has a history of political and social struggles.
