PAANK Report Highlights Human Rights Violations in Balochistan by Pakistani Forces
The PAANK, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), has released its July report detailing severe human rights abuses in Balochistan by Pakistani forces. The report claims that in August, Balochistan witnessed 35 enforced disappearances, three extrajudicial killings, and 13 incidents of extrajudicial torture.
Enforced Disappearances and Torture
The report highlights the alarming trend of enforced disappearances, leaving families without information about their loved ones. It describes widespread atrocities by the Pakistani military, including acts of torture, property destruction, and looting. Young men are often abducted, tortured in detention centers, and killed, with their bodies discarded publicly as warnings.
Violent Crackdowns on Protests
Despite growing protests against these abuses, the military’s response has been increasingly brutal. In Gwadar, violent crackdowns on unarmed protesters resulted in three deaths and over a hundred injuries. The authorities also imposed communication blackouts, shutting down internet and mobile networks in key areas like Gwadar, increasing the isolation and vulnerability of the local population.
Specific Incidents
On July 28, during a protest organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) in Mastung district, 14 protesters were injured, with one participant, Abdul Muteeb Baloch, sustaining a critical head injury. In Turbat, 25 protesters were injured by direct fire from security forces, resulting in the death of Asghar Baloch. The situation escalated further in Gwadar, where the Frontier Corps (FC), CTD police, and intelligence agencies used live ammunition, tear gas, and batons against protesters, leading to the death of a young man and injuries to several others.
Areas Most Affected
The highest incidents of enforced disappearances were reported in Quetta, Kech, Awaran, and Khuzdar, with these districts witnessing 10, eight, seven, and six incidents respectively.
Doubts Revealed
PAANK -: PAANK is a report created by the Baloch National Movement to show what is happening in Balochistan.
Human Rights Violations -: Human rights violations are actions that harm people and take away their basic rights, like freedom and safety.
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a region in Pakistan where many people live and where these problems are happening.
Pakistani Forces -: Pakistani forces are the military and police in Pakistan who are supposed to keep people safe but are accused of hurting people in Balochistan.
Baloch National Movement -: The Baloch National Movement is a group that wants to protect the rights of people in Balochistan and make sure their voices are heard.
Enforced Disappearances -: Enforced disappearances happen when people are taken away by force and their families don’t know where they are.
Extrajudicial Killings -: Extrajudicial killings are when people are killed without a fair trial or legal process.
Torture -: Torture is when someone is hurt very badly on purpose to make them suffer or to get information from them.
Communication Blackouts -: Communication blackouts are when the internet and phone services are cut off so people can’t talk to each other or share information.
Quetta -: Quetta is a big city in Balochistan where many of these problems are happening.
Kech -: Kech is another area in Balochistan affected by these issues.
Awaran -: Awaran is a place in Balochistan where people are also facing these problems.
Khuzdar -: Khuzdar is another region in Balochistan experiencing these issues.
Gwadar -: Gwadar is a port city in Balochistan that is also affected by these problems.
Turbat -: Turbat is a town in Balochistan where these issues are happening too.
