Italian Journalist Francesca Marino Highlights Issues in Balochistan at Geneva Conference
During the 5th Balochistan International Conference in Geneva, Italian journalist Francesca Marino discussed the ongoing atrocities in Balochistan and how Pakistan is exploiting the region and its resources.
Historical Context
Marino explained that Balochistan was annexed to Pakistan through deceit and force. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who was the legal counsel for the Khan of Kalat, betrayed the trust during negotiations for the state’s independence. The Pakistani army coerced the Khan into signing an accession document, which was not legally valid as it lacked parliamentary ratification.
Current Situation
Marino highlighted that Balochistan has risen in revolt multiple times, with the latest beginning in 2007 after the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti by General Musharraf’s men. She noted that Bugti’s body was never returned to his family.
Impact of CPEC
Focusing on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Marino pointed out that Gwadar, intended to be a ‘new Dubai,’ has excluded the Baloch people from development. Chinese investments in local mines have primarily benefited Chinese interests, leaving the local population without basic benefits.
International Response
Despite documented human rights abuses, Pakistan faces little international pressure due to geopolitical considerations. Marino emphasized that similar repression is occurring in Pashtun, Sindhi, and Kashmiri areas.
Call to Action
Marino concluded by urging the international community to hold Pakistan accountable under international law, stressing the urgent need for global attention to Balochistan’s struggles.
Doubts Revealed
Francesca Marino -: Francesca Marino is an Italian journalist who writes about important issues happening around the world. She talks about problems and tries to make people aware of them.
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a region in Pakistan. It has many natural resources, but the people there face many problems like unfair treatment and lack of basic rights.
Geneva Conference -: The Geneva Conference is a meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland, where people from different countries come together to discuss important global issues.
Exploitation -: Exploitation means treating someone unfairly to benefit from their work or resources. In Balochistan, people are not treated well and their resources are taken without fair compensation.
Human Rights Abuses -: Human rights abuses are actions that harm people’s basic rights and freedoms. This can include things like unfair treatment, violence, and not allowing people to speak freely.
Forced Annexation -: Forced annexation means taking control of a region or country by force. Balochistan was taken over by Pakistan without the consent of its people.
Nawab Akbar Bugti -: Nawab Akbar Bugti was a leader in Balochistan who fought for the rights of his people. He was killed, which made many people in Balochistan very sad and angry.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor -: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a big project between China and Pakistan to build roads, railways, and other infrastructure. Some people in Balochistan feel it harms their land and doesn’t benefit them.
International Community -: The international community refers to all the countries and organizations around the world that work together to solve global problems.
Pashtun, Sindhi, and Kashmiri areas -: Pashtun, Sindhi, and Kashmiri areas are regions in Pakistan and India where people also face problems like unfair treatment and lack of rights, similar to Balochistan.