LONDON: In a significant step toward international political engagement, a delegation of the Baloch National Movement (BNM) on Monday participated in an exclusive training session at the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament, gaining first-hand insight into parliamentary mechanisms, legislative tools, and procedural strategies aimed at strengthening lobbying efforts and raising international awareness about the human rights situation in Balochistan.
The training session was held at the House of Commons and organised by Labour Party MP John McDonnell, a long-time advocate for human rights in Balochistan. The programme focused on how parliamentary systems can be effectively utilised to engage lawmakers, influence policy discussions, and bring attention to political and human rights concerns within democratic institutions in the United Kingdom.
Sharing details of the event on the social media platform X, the BNM’s foreign department expressed its gratitude to MP John McDonnell for facilitating the session. The organisation stated that such initiatives are part of its broader commitment to educating and preparing its members and future generations for principled, informed, and effective diplomatic engagement at international forums.
The BNM further announced that similar training programmes would continue in the future to enhance political literacy and advocacy skills among Baloch political workers operating in exile.
The parliamentary training comes amid renewed attention to Balochistan in the UK Parliament. Earlier, John McDonnell MP raised written parliamentary questions concerning gross human rights violations in Balochistan and the potential use of British arms and dual-use equipment in Pakistan’s internal security operations in the region.
In his question to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, McDonnell sought clarification on whether the UK Government had authorised export licences for military or dual-use items that could be deployed in drone operations or internal repression in Balochistan.
Responding on behalf of the Government, Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, stated that the UK remains deeply concerned by reports of human rights abuses in Pakistan, including in Balochistan. He emphasised that the promotion of civil and political rights is a core component of the UK’s diplomatic engagement with Islamabad.
Regarding arms exports, Bryant explained that all military and dual-use export licences are assessed on a case-by-case basis under the UK’s Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. He further disclosed that the UK has refused export licences to Pakistan in cases where there were concerns about diversion or the potential use of equipment for internal repression.
These parliamentary interventions form part of sustained diplomatic efforts by the Foreign Department of the Baloch National Movement, which has been actively engaging international institutions to highlight enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and political repression in Balochistan.
