Since Sunday 28 July, Baloch protesters have been converging in the city of Gwadar for a Baloch Raji Muchi (National Gathering), raising their voices against the repression they face in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.
The protesters were surrounded by Pakistani troops, who opened fire on the crowd of people trying to reach the gathering, killing at least three protesters and injuring another 30 protesters. The exact number of casualties remains unclear due to an internet and network ban imposed by the Pakistani state.
In an exclusive interview with Medya News, a Baloch women activist reports about the current situation at the Baloch National Gathering and the demands of the protesters.
Read the full interview, lightly edited for clarity, below:
What were the developments at the national gathering in the last week?
The situation in Gwadar has been increasingly tense for the past 11 days, highlighting the state’s inability to effectively manage the prevailing unrest and status quo in the country. The government’s response has included the suspension of communication systems, which encompasses road access, networking, and telecommunication services. In addition, essential services such as food distribution and healthcare have been severely disrupted. This complete shutdown of basic amenities has persisted for 11 days, impacting not just Gwadar but the entire Makran division, leaving residents in a dire situation without access to critical resources.
While the local population endures these hardships, Pakistani state authorities have taken steps to project a different narrative to the international community. They have secretly briefed a Chinese delegation behind closed doors, followed by a staged photo session. This was done to create a misleading image of normalcy and progress in Gwadar. The authorities’ intent behind these actions is to obscure the reality of the situation and convince the world that everything is under control, thus diverting attention from the genuine grievances and the severe measures imposed on the region.
Meanwhile, the ongoing protests and sit-ins organised by local groups, including the Baloch Solidarity Committee (BYC), continue to draw attention to the state’s oppressive actions. The BYC has made it clear that the state should condemn the events that occurred during, before, and after the Baloch Raaji Muchi (National Gathering). They emphasise that it is the state’s responsibility to maintain peace and address the legitimate demands of the people. However, instead of engaging in dialogue and working towards a peaceful resolution, the state has chosen to escalate the situation by using force, further aggravating the crisis.
The peace walks and discussions facilitated by the BYC, including a significant X Space (formerly Twitter) involving professors and politicians, have shed light on state brutalities and the urgent need for freedom of speech in Pakistan. These initiatives aim to highlight the ongoing struggles and call for international attention and intervention to address the worsening conditions in Balochistan.
What are the demands of the protesters exactly?
The Baloch Solidarity Committee demands are:
1. First Information Report (FIR) Against Corps Commander: An FIR should be filed against the Corps Commander for the firing by the Frontier Corps that resulted in the martyrdom and injury of protesters in Mastung, Talar, Gwadar, Nushki, and Turbat.
2. Notification from Home Department: The Home Department should immediately issue a notification stating that no further violence will be used by state forces.
3. Chief Minister’s Admission: The Chief Minister and his cabinet should come to Gwadar and hold a press conference with us, admitting that the government of Balochistan is responsible for the damages caused during this period. They should acknowledge their attempt to crush this peaceful public program with violence and condemn the use of force. The government of Balochistan should condemn the loss of life and property.
4. Release of Detainees: All protesters arrested or forcibly disappeared in connection with the Baloch Raaji Muchi should be released immediately, and all FIRs should be quashed.
5. Lifting of Curfew and Restoration of Services: All routes should be opened, the undeclared curfew in Makran, including Gwadar, should be lifted immediately, water supply in Gwadar should be restored, and internet services across the region should be reinstated immediately.
6. No Harassment or FIRs: The Government of Pakistan should notify that no participant or supporter of the Raaji Muchi will be harassed or subject to any further FIRs, and no unnecessary force will be used on any peaceful program in the future.
How has the situation of the network ban developed?
The network ban in Gwadar and the broader Makran division has been in place for 12 days, causing significant disruptions in daily life, including access to emergency health services and food supply chains. Imposed in response to ongoing protests, the ban has become a focal point of demonstrations, with protesters arguing it is a tool of oppression to silence dissent and hinder coordination.
Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities secretly briefed a Chinese delegation, staging a photo session to falsely portray stability in Gwadar, aiming to reassure international stakeholders. This deception has raised concerns about the state’s commitment to human rights and freedom of speech, damaging the government’s credibility globally.
According to reports, the Baloch Solidarity Committee (BYC) has vocally demanded the restoration of communication services and the lifting of the undeclared curfew, calling for an end to state violence. The network ban has exacerbated the crisis, highlighting the state’s heavy-handed approach and its impact on the civilian population. Most areas of Balochistan have experienced similar network interruptions, leading to widespread communication blackouts.
Were there anymore casualties during the protests?
Three casualties have been reported during the protests, with one protester in a coma. More than 30 individuals are injured, but we cannot confirm the exact number due to the internet and network ban imposed by the state.
