Baloch National Gathering: A Stand Against Decades of Oppression

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) plans a historic Baloch National Gathering in Gwadar on July 28. The event aims to confront oppression, exploitation, and the stark realities of underdevelopment faced by the Baloch people, despite claims of progress under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Taking a firm stance against decades of oppression and exploitation, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has announced plans for a historic Baloch National Gathering in Gwadar on July 28. This event aims to serve as a significant public referendum against what Baloch people term systematic genocide and exploitation of their resources under the guise of development projects.

For over seventy years, Balochistan has endured conditions akin to those of an imperial colony, according to the BYC's stark indictment of Pakistan's policies. The Baloch people, rightful inheritors of their ancestral lands, find themselves marginalised and treated as refugees on their own soil. Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, forced displacements, and military operations have become routine, exacerbating the plight of Baloch communities.

Despite Pakistan's claims of development and prosperity in Balochistan, the reality paints a different picture. Gwadar, a focal point of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), suffers from severe infrastructure deficiencies. Basic necessities like clean drinking water and reliable electricity remain elusive amid scorching temperatures. Local fishermen face harassment and job discrimination while non-Baloch individuals are favoured in job appointments. "We will no longer tolerate the genocide of our people and the exploitation of our resources," declared the BYC, noting their resolve to confront the state and international stakeholders, including China, allegedly complicit in Baloch suffering. The Baloch National Gathering aims to galvanise widespread support and initiate public resistance against these injustices.

Preparations are already underway across Balochistan, with BYC activists mobilising communities through interactive sessions, pamphlet distribution, and spirited wall paintings featuring resistance slogans. From Koh-i-Sulaiman to Gwadar, the unity and determination of the Baloch people are palpable, signalling a collective effort to reclaim their rights and challenge the status quo. The BYC's call to action underscores a pivotal moment in Balochistan's history, promising to amplify voices long suppressed and demand international recognition of Baloch national rights. As July 28 approaches, anticipation builds for what is expected to be a landmark event in the ongoing struggle for justice and autonomy in Balochistan.

(With inputs from agencies.)