Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch expresses solidarity with PoJK protesters

Baloch activist Dr Mahrang Baloch has condemned state violence against peaceful protesters in PoJK. She expressed solidarity, criticised the ban on the JAAC, and drew parallels between the struggles for rights in Balochistan and Kashmir.

Dr Baloch Condemns State Violence in PoJK

Prominent Baloch rights activist Dr Mahrang Baloch has strongly condemned what she described as state violence against peaceful protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), expressing solidarity with demonstrators demanding rights, justice, and dignity.

In a statement shared on X, Dr Baloch criticised the government's decision to ban the Joint Public Action Committee (JAAC), arguing that the move reflected a broader pattern of suppressing political freedoms and democratic expression. She said that democratic societies address disagreements through dialogue and political engagement rather than through bans, arrests, and the use of force.

Parallels Drawn with Balochistan

Drawing parallels between the situation in PoJK and developments in Balochistan, Dr Baloch asserted that communities across Pakistan's peripheral regions face similar challenges when raising demands related to rights, identity, and justice. She claimed that peaceful political movements are often met with coercive measures and attempts to discredit activists.

"The distance between Balochistan and Kashmir may be vast, but the pain, wounds, and aspirations for justice are the same," she stated, expressing support for injured protesters, bereaved families, and those allegedly subjected to state repression.

Historical Use of Force Alleged

Dr Baloch also linked the situation in Kashmir to the experiences of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which she said has faced restrictions and state pressure. According to her statement, authorities have historically responded to political demands in regions such as Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), and PoJK through force rather than meaningful dialogue.

She further alleged that governments often seek to ignore, stigmatise, restrict, and ultimately suppress public movements. While such measures may create fear temporarily, she argued, they fail to eliminate demands for justice and accountability.

A Shared Struggle for Dignity and Rights

The activist expressed solidarity with families of missing persons, political activists, and communities affected by violence and insecurity across the country. She emphasised that her struggle, and that of many others, is rooted in demands for human dignity, equality, democratic rights, and national self-determination. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)