Dr Lakhu Lohana of the World Sindhi Congress has said Balochistan’s hardships have continued for almost “80 years” and rejected the idea that Balochistan stands merely at a political “crossroads.” Addressing the 12th session of the Balochistan International Conference, organised by the Baloch National Movement, he said Balochistan is instead “on the path of freedom and liberation.”
The Sindhi national leader and former senior official of the World Sindhi Congress said that on 27 March 1948 a dark night of slavery, colonialism, cruelty and repression descended on Balochistan, and that it has not ended to this day. Only one thing has happened: it is growing darker, darker and still darker.
Dr Lakhu Lohana said that besides killings and enforced disappearances, over the past eight decades many people have died because of poverty and malnutrition. He described Balochistan as a region rich in gold, copper, coal, gas, oil and other minerals.
He said the first major gas reserve in Pakistan’s occupied territories was discovered at Sui, which is why it was called Sui gas according to the Pakistani state, “Pakistan’s largest gas reserve.” By his account more than 90 percent of it has already been exhausted, while women in Balochistan still walk many miles barefoot to fetch water.
“At present the poverty rate in Balochistan is among the highest rates in administered Pakistan. At present malnutrition too is among the highest rates in administered Pakistan. The rates of maternal deaths and infant deaths are also the highest. The occupying state of Pakistan has, in the true sense, kept the people of Balochistan in medieval, inhuman conditions.”
He asked whether anyone with even a little conscience could allow this situation to continue, and referred to the United Nations Charter of Human Rights and the international community.
“How many more bodies from Balochistan will have to bleed before they can no longer deny that atrocities are taking place and that they must stop all this?”
According to him, Sindh also stands at a similar turning point. Activists have taken on a great responsibility: to see their nation free and their motherland free.
He further said the world “has become a very difficult place” and that subject nations will have to remain bound to one another.
He ended by challenging the theme of the conference. He said: this title, “Balochistan at a crossroads” I would ask leave to differ. Balochistan is not at any crossroads. Balochistan is on the path of freedom and liberation. Sindh and Balochistan should make this journey together.