Baloch Nation Faces Decades of Systematic Repression Since Pakistan’s Annexation — Hatim Baloch at the 7th Balochistan Conference

Baloch Nation Faces Decades of Systematic Repression Since Pakistan’s Annexation — Hatim Baloch at the 7th Balochistan Conference

Hatim Baloch said that since the illegal annexation of Balochistan by Pakistan in March 1948, the Baloch people have endured decades of systematic repression.

Hatim Baloch, a member of the Baloch National Movement’s Central Committee and Coordinator of Paank — the BNM’s human rights department — expressed these views while addressing the 7th International Balochistan Conference, organised by the Baloch National Movement at the Geneva Press Club.

He said the state of Pakistan has pursued a consistent policy of military operations, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, mass displacement, collective punishment, and the targeting of political leaders and activists who demand justice, freedom, and dignity. “Our party’s founding chairman, Waja Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, was brutally killed in 2009. His murder stands as proof that no Baloch leader who believes in peaceful struggle and speaks for people’s rights and dignity is safe,” he said.

“Every call for peace and dialogue has been answered not with negotiations, but with violence, threats, and state repression. The army continues to crack down on peaceful movements, including the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. Its organiser, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, along with other colleagues, has been imprisoned for the past five months. Leaders face harsh charges under repressive laws, their homes are raided, and activists are abducted or killed, such as Zeeshan Zaheer. For 62 days, their families have protested in Islamabad demanding their release—yet their voices remain unheard.”

Paank’s coordinator said that every day, the Baloch people suffer violence, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings. According to a Paank report covering January to June 2025, there were 785 cases of enforced disappearances, 121 extrajudicial killings, and 261 cases of torture where victims were later released. Amnesty International’s report, published on 9 September 2025, further revealed that Pakistan uses foreign surveillance tools to monitor and silence its citizens. Systems like the Web Monitoring System (WMS 2.0) and a Lawful Intercept Management System (LIMS) are used to block content, track online activity, and intercept calls and messages.

He added that for Balochistan, this translates into internet shutdowns, threats against journalists and activists, and even enforced disappearances enabled by digital tracking. Despite these atrocities, on 3 September 2025, Pakistan added Section 21 (AAA) to the International Act, allowing secret trials in which judges, lawyers, and witnesses remain hidden. Orders and records are sealed, and even virtual hearings use voice-distortion technology.

On behalf of this conference and Paank, Hatim Baloch urgently called on global governments, international organisations, and human rights bodies to investigate Pakistan’s war crimes in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances, killings, and torture. He demanded the release of political prisoners and student activists, including Abdul Rehman Ahmad, Zakir Wajid, Wajahat Khan Barzai, Shabbir Baloch, and others. He urged the European Union to review Pakistan’s GSP Plus status in light of these grave human rights violations. “The Pakistani army must be held accountable, and the victims, families, survivors, and those at risk must be supported,” he said.

In conclusion, Hatim Baloch stated: “Balochistan cannot continue to suffer in silence. The world must act. Stand with Balochistan. Stand with justice. Stand against terror in Pakistan.”