There are several strands to the problem in Balochistan. One is the obvious indifference of the Pakistani state to the plight of the people of the province. Neglect of development and the over arching emphasis on securitization of governance has led to the province becoming backward in all aspects of human development and led to increasing number of enforced disappearances. This state of affairs is compounded and complicated by the response of the people, who are also divided by action but united in their goal. While one faction of the freedom fighters employs violence, more recently the non-violent faction led by Mahrang Baloch have gained traction like never before. What binds them is the issue of enforced disappearances and the complete disregard for the human rights of the people of Balochistan.

This recurring issue has been highlighted recently by PAANK a human rights organization of the Baloch National Movement. In its latest report released at the end of September 2024 PAANK claimed that it had affected numerous families across the province. Data collected by the organization reveals that the number of disappearances in May 2024 was 90 while in was only 24 in March. On an average 44 individuals disappeared every month. Further, 14 extrajudicial killings occurred in August 2024, with 5.25 extrajudicial killings occurring every month. The issue has been burning since the early 2000s and reports of enforced disappearances have been on the rise. The deep state in Pakistan has targeted political activists, students, individuals seeking to protect human rights of the Baloch people. The current situation is such that the Pakistani media is unable to report on disappearances.

As seen in the beginning, the two strands of armed resistance and non-violent opposition to Pakistani governance in Balochistan are operating independently of each other. The important thing is that both in their own way represent the force and strength of the Baloch people determined to resist Pakistani occupation. Is this the Baloch spring? Perhaps one will see more activity in the coming months. Notably, the social consciousness amongst the Baloch people is reminiscent of the time when Badshah Abdul Ghaffar Khan led the Red Shirts in colonial times.

The lack of information earlier has today been made up by social media sharing and widespread awareness amongst the people. There has always been limited internet coverage in Balochistan, in recent years, however, this has also become norm across Pakistan, as the military is faces challenges from all peripheries and in the heartland. This has caused the State to limit internet coverage almost nation-wide. This situation has also created new solidarity between the people of Balochistan and the rest of Pakistan, forging a common cause of discontent as Pakistan takes its internet censorship to the next level. As a result of this, the Balochistan issue has become mainstream. In the last decade, discussions on Balochistan at both the national and international level have been completely transformed from an being unrecognized and insignificant issue to one receiving global attention. 

What has changed now? From an information warfare perspective, the democratization of the flow of information and narrative formation is the first point of note. Recall that previously Pakistan controlled and manipulated discussion of both human rights violations and the Baloch question. The Pakistan Army, like all other traditional armies, has used violence to curb the legitimate demands of the people. Technology ensures that physical violence does not guarantee control over any narrative. The flow of information on social media has brought the Balochistan issue to the forefront. Unlike in the past when abductions, killings, and other repressive measures helped the Pakistani state to hide human rights violations, today these acts stoke further discontent as new abuses are highlighted for all the world to see. 

The other aspect of note is the wider social participation in the movement. The involvement of young Baloch and women is not something new. What is new is the scale and intensity of participation and involvement. For instance, the Baloch Student Organization has been advocating for Baloch rights since the 1960s, but today student participation in the movement is at an all-time high. Gender participation signals the dawn of a new era. Notably, Baloch female leaders such as the late Karima Baloch and Farzana Majeed had been active since the early 2000s. These women are the inspiration behind the involvement of young Baloch women in recent years as women come out on the streets to show their solidarity. The message is clear; the youth and women of Balochistan are new pioneers who will inspire future generations.

The charisma of young women such as Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Baloch, and others is so powerful that it has already inspired future generations of Baloch both in Balochistan and the diaspora. The psychological impact of repression can still be seen amongst the youth who have witnessed the brutal and repressive actions of the Pakistani state. The educated generation, Gen Z and millennials can handle technology with much greater ease and have a better understanding of how to challenge the mainstream narratives. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee is a classic example, having proven capable of framing the Balochistan issue from both a global and anti-colonial perspective.

While the younger generation is today more aware of the implications of the Baloch struggle, the need to channelise this energy into a constructive narrative building operation is the responsibility of the latest generation of leaders like Mahrang Baloch and others. The facts on the ground indicate that human rights violation in Balochistan is no longer a ‘local’ issue. It is part of the global discussion, but a discourse that requires amplification beyond the region. Notwithstanding this, the younger generation needs to be congratulated for bringing to the movement for Balochistan a sense of purpose and direction perhaps unlike earlier. This is one of the greatest achievements the younger generation has achieved. 

Paank’s August 2024 Report : Human Rights Crisis Deepens with 14 Extrajudicial Killings and 44 Forced Disappearances

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 | Ref : 87/2024

⦿ There are no signs of improvement in Balochistan’s human rights situation.https://t.co/BD1PZeax7h

Report ,… pic.twitter.com/LVwJ664lBH

— BNM (@BNMovement_) September 10, 2024