State Sponsored "Death Squads" Uncovered in Pakistan: Silence from Institutions Amplifying Baloch Genocide
Unveiling the Brutal Crackdown: Baloch Journalists and Activists in Peril
In the troubled landscape of Balochistan, Pakistan, the relentless persecution of journalists and activists is a distressing reality. Here's a set of chilling accounts that paint a grim picture, countered by the lack of media coverage, and the indifference of institutions meant to protect justice.
Casualties of Free Speech: Heartrending Tales
- The Assassination of Abdul Latif: On a fateful night in May 2025, respected Baloch journalist Abdul Latif was brutally murdered by a militia believed to be backed by the Pakistani military, in front of his family, in Awaran, Balochistan. His sin? Exposing military abuses and documenting disappearances in the region [4][5].
- Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC): The courageous Baloch rights organization, BYC, has been under intense pressure. Prominent activists such as Shah Jee Sibghat Ullah, Gulzadi Baloch, and others have been arrested. The families of these leaders have also been detained as part of a chilling tactic to silence dissenting voices [1][3].
- The silencing of female leaders: Baloch women leaders, like Mahrang Baloch, find themselves at the receiving end of this barbaric campaign. The Pakistan government has arrested several female activists, serving as a stark reminder of the suppression of dissent in the Baloch community [3].
The Media's Deafening Silence
The dearth of comprehensive media coverage over the persecution of Baloch journalists and activists is alarming. This dereliction of duty can be attributed to:
- Censorship and Harassment: Journalists covering Balochistan are often subjected to censorship, harassment, violence, and the threat of disappearance or death, making it difficult for them to report freely [2].
- Geographical Barriers: Balochistan's remote location and limited access make reporting challenging.
- State Repression: The targeting of journalists and activists frequently involves state-linked entities, instilling fear in media outlets and hindering coverage due to the fear of retaliation.
In the face of this human rights crisis, unwavering global awareness and support for press freedom and justice in Balochistan becomes paramount.
[1] https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/06/03/pakistan-end-arbitrary-detention-leaders[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Press_freedom_in_Pakistan[3] https://hrw.org/news/2021/05/26/pakistan-free-women-activists-detained-abuses[4] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/31/baloch-journalist-killed-in-who-unknown[5] https://dawn.com/news/1612116/pakistan-must-stop-violence-against-journalists
- The brutal assassination of Abdul Latif, a Baloch journalist who exposed military abuses and documented disappearances in Balochistan, highlights the dangerous reality of war-and-conflicts in the region, underscoring the importance of investigating such crimes in the news.
- The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and its leaders, such as Shah Jee Sibghat Ullah, Gulzadi Baloch, and others, have been subjected to intense pressure, including arrests and family detention, which suggests a troubling political environment that needs broader attention in general-news coverage.
- The chilling suppression of dissident voices, as seen in the arrests of female leaders like Mahrang Baloch, raises questions about the role of justice in Pakistan's war-and-conflicts and politics, demanding more critical opinion pieces on these issues.
