New York, Sept 21 – Baloch National Movement (BNM) and Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) held a joint protest rally outside the UN Headquarters in New York to highlight the gross human rights violations in Sindh and Balochistan. On the occasion of the 72nd UNGA meeting in New York; Baloch and Sindhi activists campaigning for sovereignty of their lands, cultural identity and freedom of thought – gathered to jointly raise their voice against extreme forms of Pakistani military operations, enforced disappearances, torture and mass killings of civilians.
Addressing the media, Nabi Bakhsh Baloch, General Secretary, BNM-North America stated that the ongoing month-long Pakistani military operation in the Kolwah area of Balochistan has resulted in fatalities while a large number of residents were taken away by the soldiers who also set fire to their homes and properties. “For the record”, Mr. Baloch said, “This scenario is not about Myanmar or Rohingya Muslims but Balochistan where Pakistan’s Islamic Army is committing genocide against its own Muslim population.
Mr. Baloch informed the media that in retaliation to “Free Baluchistan” poster campaign in Geneva, the Pakistani army abducted two civilians from district Kech, Balochistan and shot them in cold blood. Later their bodies were handed over to the local authorities declaring the two as terrorists killed in counter attack. They were identified by their relatives as Saeed s/o Ameer R/O Rodhbun (Tump) and Amjad s/o Gohram R/O Mand in district Kech, Balochistan.
Mr. Baloch supported President Trump’s South Asia and Afghanistan policy and demanded the international community to declare Pakistan a state that sponsors terrorism as a foreign policy tool. He also strongly condemned China for forming strategic partnership with Pakistan in the genocide of Baloch people. He emphasized that China had no right to use Gwadar port for its expansionist designs in the region to fulfill its energy and military ambitions.
Mr. Baloch stated that a sovereign Balochistan is the need of the hour and important for the region’s peaceful development and political stability.
Dr. Sarang Ansari, Organizer, JSQM – North America strongly condemned the Pakistani state policy of repressing the voice of political dissent in Sindh resulting in mass enforced disappearances, targeted killings, forced conversion to Islam of Hindu girls and the brutal sectarian violence deliberately targeting shrines of Sufi saints and places of worship of religious minorities. Dr. Ansari demanded immediate action by the UN to stop Pakistan from using terrorist jihadist outfits in Sindh and Balochistan against secular nationalist organizations.
