Pakistan ‘guest’ in Balochistan for few more years: Baloch activist

Quetta, July 1 (IANS) Leading Baloch human rights defender Mir Yar Baloch has slammed China for using Islamabad as a “diplomatic gun” against India over New Delhi’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) following the heinous Pahalgam terror attack last year by Pakistan-backed terrorists. Highlighting “realities on the ground”, he also asserted that Pakistan is now only a “guest in Balochistan for a few more years”.

The people of Balochistan, he said, have reaffirmed their resolve to launch a global campaign to expose “terrorism of Pakistan and China” in response to attempts being made by Islamabad and Beijing to spread disinformation over India’s suspension of the IWT.

“China and Pakistan’s presence in Balochistan is illegal and unlawful, and both occupiers must leave the Baloch sea and surface immediately. China is attempting to use Pakistan as a diplomatic gun against India. Beijing should understand under which international law it has been permitted to join hands with Pakistan to conduct and facilitate the Baloch genocide of the Baloch people over the past 70 years for the purpose of plundering CPEC, Balochistan’s mineral resources, and its rare earth minerals,” Mir posted on X.

“China is fully aware that Balochistan has never been a part of Pakistan. Nevertheless, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, it is investing 70 billion dollars in Balochistan against the will and wishes of the Baloch people through the use of guns, tanks, artillery, and fighter aircraft, while the benefits of these investments are illegal and unlawful,” he added.

Mir alleged that China has been supporting Pakistan’s military and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) with advanced drones, technology, intelligence sharing, and other resources, claiming that the assistance has contributed to state violence, gross human rights abuses, and the economic exploitation of Balochistan. He further said that China has no right to become a “direct participant in the genocide, ethnic cleansing, and slaughter of the Baloch people” in pursuit of its financial and economic interests.

The Baloch activist argued that Beijing should take into account the fact that it fulfills nearly 90 per cent of its oil and other energy requirements through the sea routes and ports of Balochistan.

“The day Balochistan stands on its own feet militarily, defensively, and economically, China will no longer be able to meet 90 per cent of its oil and energy requirements through sea and land routes, and it will also lose access to Gwadar port,” Mir stated, adding Pakistan’s military has already suffered a severe defeat on the ground at the hands of the Baloch armed groups.

He claimed that the realities on the ground in Balochistan are being “distorted and misrepresented” by the Pakistani military and the ISI through their diplomatic channels, paid media outlets, and staged seminars.

“Pakistan’s military and its puppet Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, also attempted to entice the administration of US President Donald Trump into investing in Balochistan by presenting it with the dream of Balochistan’s rare earth minerals. However, the realities on the ground indicate that Pakistan is now only a guest in Balochistan for a few more years,” Mir asserted.

–IANS

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