Mahrang Baloch: Prison Letters From Pakistan Activist
- Mahrang baloch, a human rights activist, remains imprisoned in Quetta, Pakistan, in the same Hudda Prison where her father was once held.
- Since her arrest, Baloch saeid Pakistani authorities have attempted to coerce her into silence with offers of release in exchange for ceasing political activity.
- Baloch addressed reporters following a train hijacking in Balochistan, pakistan's largest province.
Imprisoned Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch exposes the struggle for human rights in Pakistan from behind bars. She details the unrelenting pressure to stay silent, revealing how Pakistani authorities attempt to manipulate and silence activists fighting for Baloch rights. Baloch firmly distinguishes between armed conflict and the non-violent defense of Balochistan‘s people, highlighting the common use of “terrorist” labels to suppress dissent. She also exposes the stark contrast between Balochistan’s rich resources and its people’s widespread poverty. News Directory 3 also highlights Baloch’s personal account of state violence, including the death of her father, which fuels her unwavering commitment to justice. What steps will be taken next?
baloch Activist Jailed, Highlights Rights Struggle in Pakistan
Mahrang baloch, a human rights activist, remains imprisoned in Quetta, Pakistan, in the same Hudda Prison where her father was once held. She was jailed more than two months ago for advocating for the rights of the Balochistan people.
Since her arrest, Baloch saeid Pakistani authorities have attempted to coerce her into silence with offers of release in exchange for ceasing political activity. She has refused, maintaining that the state has not presented any credible evidence linking her to violence or criminal activity. The primary justification for her arrest, she said, is a press conference given days before her detainment.
Baloch addressed reporters following a train hijacking in Balochistan, pakistan’s largest province. Baloch separatists, who have been in conflict with the government for decades, held 300 passengers hostage. Baloch said that while her movement, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, denounces violence, the state blurs the line between armed resistance and advocating for Baloch rights. She added that in pakistan,the label ”terrorist” is ofen applied to anyone who speaks out for Baloch rights,risking arrest and potential disappearance.
Baloch raised concerns about the unidentified bodies brought to Quetta’s Civil Hospital after the hijacking, questioning why 13 were buried without identification. She suggested these coudl be victims of enforced disappearances, a common practice in Balochistan where individuals are allegedly killed and presented as militants after violent incidents.
Balochistan is rich in resources like copper and gold, estimated to be worth over $60 billion, and includes Gwadar, a key part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Despite this, 70% of Balochistan’s population lives below the poverty line.
Baloch said the state brands activists as terrorists and violent, despite their non-violent approach. She said the state uses its power to suppress those seeking justice, extending tactics once limited to the Baloch to other parts of Pakistan. She cited the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan as an example.
Baloch questioned why,if pakistani intelligence agencies are as capable as they claim,they have not presented credible evidence or held a fair trial. She said it is indeed about fear,”their fear of our truth.”
Baloch recounted her personal history with state violence, including visiting her detained father as a child and receiving his body after his disappearance and death. She said her story is representative of many children in Balochistan, whose childhoods are marked by grief and fear.
She said her generation, raised in the shadow of state violence, is committed to ensuring no child suffers the same fate. Despite the power imbalance, media control, and use of force by the state, she said they remain steadfast in their struggle.
Baloch said their confinement is part of a war of narratives, and that speaking up for justice is not a crime, raising voices against state violence is not treason, and demanding rights is not terrorism.
She said, “It is humanity. And one day, we believe, this struggle will succeed.”
What’s next
Baloch’s continued imprisonment and the ongoing struggle for Baloch rights will likely continue to draw international attention, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of Pakistan’s human rights record and calls for a fair and transparent legal process.