The Baloch people continue to endure daily systemic violence at the hands of Pakistani forces, with extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and severe economic exploitation being some of the most pressing issues. The state’s ongoing actions against the Baloch nation are rooted in the collective punishment of the population for their calls for dignity and basic rights.
In recent days, a sit-in protest erupted on the Coastal Highway in Gwadar, led by the Pickup Union. The protestors, demanding justice for their livelihood, blocked all traffic in response to the unlawful actions of the Coast Guards, who seized vehicles and diesel without legal justification.
Protesters emphasized that despite their involvement in legitimate economic activities, they face constant harassment, with vehicles confiscated and their means of survival taken away. According to the union, Coast Guards seized vehicles in the dead of night, even though the diesel in question was transported under valid permits issued by the Balochistan government. After a meeting with Colonel Zain-ul-Abideen, only the empty vehicles were returned, while the confiscated diesel remained under the custody of the forces.
Drivers involved in the protest voiced their frustrations, explaining the immense financial pressure they are under. Many of them buy diesel on credit, and the seizure of their only source of income threatens their very survival.
This abuse of power, masked as security enforcement, directly contradicts the state’s claims of development in Gwadar. Instead, it unveils a reality of economic blockade and militarization that is used to suppress the Baloch nation.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has expressed its full support for the Pickup Union in Gwadar, condemning the state’s actions as criminal. The exploitation and brutality faced by the Baloch are not limited to physical violence alone but extend to the very core of their economic survival.
In a powerful statement, BYC declared: “The time has come for the Baloch people to rise up. We refuse to remain silent in the face of state-sponsored violence, whether it is the kidnapping of our youth or the destruction of our livelihoods.
