In December, the Indian Navy chief had raised an alarm about China's growing naval presence.

On January 13,&nbsp; this year, the very next month, China launched a major naval drill with Pakistan in the Arabian sea.&nbsp;They called their exercise 'sea guardians' and flaunted their warships and frigates.

The manoeuvring may have stopped but the naval buildup has not.&nbsp;China and Pakistan have been steadily building up their presence in India's backyard.&nbsp;Chinese warships are still stationed on the ports of Karachi.

Satellite images have been released by planet-scope and the data has been compiled by Forbes journalist Hi Sutton&nbsp;who claims to have spotted a Pakistan submarine parked among Chinese warships.

The&nbsp;the Agosta-90b class submarine, locally known as the Hashmat class.

It is said to be the most potent and modern submarine in Pakistan's naval arsenal. It has a French-designed propulsion system and is equipped with modern combat systems and is also reported to be the launch platform for Pakistan's indigenous Babur-3 cruise missile.

The parking of the&nbsp;submarine along with Chinese vessels cannot be coincidental.&nbsp;In all likelihood&nbsp;Pakistan is sharing the inner workings of one its most potential weapons platforms with China as the two sides strengthen their defence engagements on the high seas.

Differences are arising hundreds of miles away on land. There's growing discord in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC).

Beijing is becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of security for Chinese workers.&nbsp;The disputes over design and execution of CPEC projects have also been rising with&nbsp;physical altercations been reported between Chinese labourers and Pak soldiers.

There's massive corruption by entities from both countries and increasing violence by Baloch rebels who are threatening to derail the entire project.&nbsp;China's footprint in Pakistan may be increasing but so are the differences between Islamabad and Beijing.

In December, the Indian Navy chief had raised an alarm about China's growing naval presence. On January 13, this year, the very next month, China launched a major naval drill with Pakistan in the Arabian sea.

In December, the Indian Navy chief had raised an alarm about China's growing naval presence. On January 13, this year, the very next month, China launched a major naval drill with Pakistan in the Arabian sea. They called their exercise 'sea guardians' and flaunted their warships and frigates. The manoeuvring may have stopped but the naval buildup has not. China and Pakistan have been steadily building up their presence in India's backyard. Chinese warships are still stationed on the ports of Karachi. Satellite images have been released by planet-scope and the data has been compiled by Forbes journalist Hi Sutton who claims to have spotted a Pakistan submarine parked among Chinese warships. The the Agosta-90b class submarine, locally known as the Hashmat class. It is said to be the most potent and modern submarine in Pakistan's naval arsenal. It has a French-designed propulsion system and is equipped with modern combat systems and is also reported to be the launch platform for Pakistan's indigenous Babur-3 cruise missile. The parking of the submarine along with Chinese vessels cannot be coincidental. In all likelihood Pakistan is sharing the inner workings of one its most potential weapons platforms with China as the two sides strengthen their defence engagements on the high seas. Differences are arising hundreds of miles away on land. There's growing discord in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC). Beijing is becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of security for Chinese workers. The disputes over design and execution of CPEC projects have also been rising with physical altercations been reported between Chinese labourers and Pak soldiers. There's massive corruption by entities from both countries and increasing violence by Baloch rebels who are threatening to derail the entire project. China's footprint in Pakistan may be increasing but so are the differences between Islamabad and Beijing.

Now, Pakistan submarine parked along with Chinese warships in Karachi

At least one kid was killed and seven others injured after unidentified men hurled a hand grenade at Barori Road in Balochistan's Quetta, Pakistan media reported quoting police officials.

“The hand grenade was hurled at a shop on Barori Road,” the police said as injured and bodies have been shifted to a nearby hospital.

The police and other law enforcement authorities had rushed to the site of the explosion and cordoned off the area.

The police said that they were investigating the cause of the explosion that also damaged vehicles and shops.

On Monday, at least five persons, including a 10-year-old boy, were killed and 21 others injured in a powerful bomb blast in the Pakistan-Afghan border town of Chaman.

The blast took place after unknown militants planted a remote controlled improvised explosive device on a motorcycle parked in Chaman.

In another blast the same day, at least eight people, including police personnel, were injured near a petrol pump.

(With inpiuts from agencies)

At least one kid was killed and seven others injured after unidentified men hurled a hand grenade at Barori Road in Balochistan's Quetta, Pakistan media reported quoting police officials.

At least one kid was killed and seven others injured after unidentified men hurled a hand grenade at Barori Road in Balochistan's Quetta, Pakistan media reported quoting police officials. “The hand grenade was hurled at a shop on Barori Road,” the police said as injured and bodies have been shifted to a nearby hospital. The police and other law enforcement authorities had rushed to the site of the explosion and cordoned off the area. The police said that they were investigating the cause of the explosion that also damaged vehicles and shops. On Monday, at least five persons, including a 10-year-old boy, were killed and 21 others injured in a powerful bomb blast in the Pakistan-Afghan border town of Chaman. The blast took place after unknown militants planted a remote controlled improvised explosive device on a motorcycle parked in Chaman. In another blast the same day, at least eight people, including police personnel, were injured near a petrol pump. (With inpiuts from agencies)

Pakistan: One killed seven injured in a hand grenade attack in Quetta

Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan. It is also the most oppressed. In 2017, a WION team travelled deep inside Balochistan.

Gravitas: Inside Balochistan: Pakistan's most oppressed province

After completing the restoration, a provincial government in Pakistan has handed over a 200-year-old Gurdwara in Balochistan to the minority Sikh community on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The Siri Guru Singh Gurdwara on Masjid Road in the middle of Quetta was earlier used as a government school for the last 73 years.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-raises-concern-on-vandalisation-of-buddha-statue-in-pakistan-315313">India raises concern on vandalisation of Buddha statue in Pakistan</a>

The officials said the gurdwara will now be used for prayers and religious gatherings.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-journalist-critic-of-powerful-military-freed-after-abduction-315010">Pakistani journalist critic of powerful military freed after abduction</a>

Denesh Kumar, the provincial parliamentary secretary and advisor to the Balochistan Chief Minister on Minority Affairs, said that the restoration to use it as an institution for worshipping is completed, reported news agency PTI.&nbsp;

He also said the present value of the gurdwara is in millions of dollars, but still still Balochistan government decided to give it back to Sikhs after its restoration.&nbsp;

Kumar also said the students who are studying in that schools are being helped to get admissions in other nearby schools.

Sardar Jasbeer Singh, the Chairman of the Sikh Community Committee in Balochistan, said the restoration as a place of worship was a gift from the provincial government.

He said Siri Guru Singh Gurdwara holds special significane for close to 2,000 Sikh families who live across Balochistan.&nbsp;

After completing the restoration, a provincial government in Pakistan has handed over a 200-year-old Gurdwara in Balochistan to the minority Sikh community on Wednesday.

After completing the restoration, a provincial government in Pakistan has handed over a 200-year-old Gurdwara in Balochistan to the minority Sikh community on Wednesday. The Siri Guru Singh Gurdwara on Masjid Road in the middle of Quetta was earlier used as a government school for the last 73 years. Also read | India raises concern on vandalisation of Buddha statue in Pakistan The officials said the gurdwara will now be used for prayers and religious gatherings. Also read | Pakistani journalist critic of powerful military freed after abduction Denesh Kumar, the provincial parliamentary secretary and advisor to the Balochistan Chief Minister on Minority Affairs, said that the restoration to use it as an institution for worshipping is completed, reported news agency PTI. He also said the present value of the gurdwara is in millions of dollars, but still still Balochistan government decided to give it back to Sikhs after its restoration. Kumar also said the students who are studying in that schools are being helped to get admissions in other nearby schools. Sardar Jasbeer Singh, the Chairman of the Sikh Community Committee in Balochistan, said the restoration as a place of worship was a gift from the provincial government. He said Siri Guru Singh Gurdwara holds special significane for close to 2,000 Sikh families who live across Balochistan.

Pakistan: 200-year-old Gurdwara handed back to Sikhs in Balochistan

Two local Pakistan TV reporters were tortured for a coronavirus centre in the southwestern Balochistan province, reported Reporters Without Borders (RWF/RSF).

According to a report by Reporters Without Borders,&nbsp;Saeed Ali Achakzai, a reporter for the Urdu-language Samaa News TV, and Abdul Mateen Achakzai, a reporter for the Pashtun-language Khyber News TV went missing for three days.

The two reporters were called to the&nbsp;Frontier Corps command centre in Chaman, a city near the Afghan border. The two reporters reappeared after three days, but with torture marks on their bodies.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-blacklists-pakistani-organiser-of-bollywood-events-in-houston-310374">Also read:&nbsp;India blacklists Pakistani organiser of Bollywood events in Houston</a>

"We were blindfolded and taken to a place where we were handed over to the Anti-Terrorism Force that is operated by the Balochistan Levies, and the ATF took us to the notorious Machh prison and tortured us there to the point that you can see signs of the torture on our back," Abdul Mateen Achakzai said.

"We had been getting WhatsApp messages threatening us with arrest, because the deputy commissioner and paramilitary force commanders were unhappy with our coverage of a public protest against the poor facilities at the quarantine centre," he added.

The&nbsp;Reporters Without Borders issued a report on June 20.

With the report, the RSF officials have called on the Balochistan Chief Minister to start an enquiry into the abduction and torture.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that representatives of the security forces should commit acts of torture simply because they didn`t like what these two journalists reported. We call on Balochistan chief minister Jam Kamal Khan to order a judicial enquiry into those responsible for their abduction so that this shocking press freedom violation does not remain unpunished. The credibility of the rule of law in Pakistan is at stake," said&nbsp;Daniel Bastard, head of RSF`s Asia-Pacific desk.

Daniel also added that that journalists in several areas of Pakistan, especially Chaman region, have been subjected to such tortures earlier too. According to the RSF`s 2020 World Press Freedom Index, Pakistan is ranked 145th out of 180.

(With inputs from agencies)

Two local Pakistan TV reporters were tortured for a coronavirus centre in the southwestern Balochistan province, reported Reporters Without Borders (RWF/RSF). According to a report by Reporters Without Borders, Saeed Ali Achakzai, a reporter for the Urdu-language Samaa News TV, and Abdul Mateen Achakzai, a reporter for the Pashtun-language Khyber News TV went missing for three days.

Two local Pakistan TV reporters were tortured for a coronavirus centre in the southwestern Balochistan province, reported Reporters Without Borders (RWF/RSF). According to a report by Reporters Without Borders, Saeed Ali Achakzai, a reporter for the Urdu-language Samaa News TV, and Abdul Mateen Achakzai, a reporter for the Pashtun-language Khyber News TV went missing for three days. The two reporters were called to the Frontier Corps command centre in Chaman, a city near the Afghan border. The two reporters reappeared after three days, but with torture marks on their bodies. Also read: India blacklists Pakistani organiser of Bollywood events in Houston "We were blindfolded and taken to a place where we were handed over to the Anti-Terrorism Force that is operated by the Balochistan Levies, and the ATF took us to the notorious Machh prison and tortured us there to the point that you can see signs of the torture on our back," Abdul Mateen Achakzai said. "We had been getting WhatsApp messages threatening us with arrest, because the deputy commissioner and paramilitary force commanders were unhappy with our coverage of a public protest against the poor facilities at the quarantine centre," he added. The Reporters Without Borders issued a report on June 20. With the report, the RSF officials have called on the Balochistan Chief Minister to start an enquiry into the abduction and torture. "It is absolutely unacceptable that representatives of the security forces should commit acts of torture simply because they didn`t like what these two journalists reported. We call on Balochistan chief minister Jam Kamal Khan to order a judicial enquiry into those responsible for their abduction so that this shocking press freedom violation does not remain unpunished. The credibility of the rule of law in Pakistan is at stake," said Daniel Bastard, head of RSF`s Asia-Pacific desk. Daniel also added that that journalists in several areas of Pakistan, especially Chaman region, have been subjected to such tortures earlier too. According to the RSF`s 2020 World Press Freedom Index, Pakistan is ranked 145th out of 180. (With inputs from agencies)

Two Pakistani journalists tortured for showing truth in Pakistan's quarantine centre

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan today accused India of orchestrating the attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi on Monday, June 29.&nbsp;Khan told the parliament today that he “had no doubt that India was behind the attack”.

On June 29, four men carrying grenades attacked the Pakistan Stock Exchange, and killed two guards along with a policeman before they were gunned down by security forces.

India had denied any involvement in the attack on the day of the attack, but Khan went on to say that he had “no doubt” about the country’s involvement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/south-asia/opposition-lashes-out-at-imran-khan-for-calling-laden-a-martyr-308708" hreflang="en">Opposition lashes out at Imran Khan for calling Laden a 'martyr'</a>

Offering no evidence for his allegation, he claimed that there were intelligence reports of a potential attack in Pakistan, and that his cabinet had been alerted about such threats.

However, the responsibility of the attack was taken by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group from Balochistan.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/wion-exclusive-terrorists-attack-pak-stock-exchange-in-karachi-309343/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to Khan, his country’s intelligence agencies were able to avoid four major terror attacks, out of which two were aimed at Islamabad. He, however, added that it was “not possible” to stop stop such attacks.

The security officials claimed that the gunmen were carrying a heavy supply of armoury, and were planning to take hostages after storming the building.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/pakistan-eulogizing-terrorism-prime-minister-imran-khan-calls-bin-laden-a-martyr-308622" hreflang="en">Pakistan eulogizing terrorism: Prime Minister Imran Khan calls Bin Laden a 'martyr'</a>

Khan referred to the response of Pakistan security forces as a “big victory”, even though three people had died.

In Balochistan, separatists claim that Pakistan has been exploiting the mineral rich area to improve life in the already rich provinces.

Over the course of the last few years, Pakistan has accused India of supporting separatists multiple times, which has been fervently denied by India.

In 2018, the BLA also attacked a Chinese consulate in Karachi.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan today accused India of orchestrating the attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi on Monday, June 29. Khan told the parliament today that he “had no doubt that India was behind the attack”.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan today accused India of orchestrating the attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi on Monday, June 29. Khan told the parliament today that he “had no doubt that India was behind the attack”. On June 29, four men carrying grenades attacked the Pakistan Stock Exchange, and killed two guards along with a policeman before they were gunned down by security forces. India had denied any involvement in the attack on the day of the attack, but Khan went on to say that he had “no doubt” about the country’s involvement. Also read: Opposition lashes out at Imran Khan for calling Laden a 'martyr' Offering no evidence for his allegation, he claimed that there were intelligence reports of a potential attack in Pakistan, and that his cabinet had been alerted about such threats. However, the responsibility of the attack was taken by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group from Balochistan. According to Khan, his country’s intelligence agencies were able to avoid four major terror attacks, out of which two were aimed at Islamabad. He, however, added that it was “not possible” to stop stop such attacks. The security officials claimed that the gunmen were carrying a heavy supply of armoury, and were planning to take hostages after storming the building. Also read: Pakistan eulogizing terrorism: Prime Minister Imran Khan calls Bin Laden a 'martyr' Khan referred to the response of Pakistan security forces as a “big victory”, even though three people had died. In Balochistan, separatists claim that Pakistan has been exploiting the mineral rich area to improve life in the already rich provinces. Over the course of the last few years, Pakistan has accused India of supporting separatists multiple times, which has been fervently denied by India. In 2018, the BLA also attacked a Chinese consulate in Karachi. (With inputs from Reuters)

Imran Khan accuses India of attacking Pakistan Stock Exchange, offers no evidence

First, the economic crisis, then the coronavirus pandemic and now, an attack on its Karachi Stock Exchange.&nbsp;

The attack not only targets Pakistan but, its chief creditor China too.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Video from inside the Pakistan Stock Exchange building - intense firing can be heard <a href="https://t.co/7xxYW92nHo">pic.twitter.com/7xxYW92nHo</a>
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) <a href="https://twitter.com/omar_quraishi/status/1277480764234481671?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

This horrific sound of gunshots is coming from inside the Karachi Stock Exchange. Four gunmen drove up to the home of Pakistan’s financial hub on Monday morning. They were inside this black car.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-balochistan-liberation-army-targets-pak-stock-exchange-309518/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

After driving to the gate --- two gunmen managed to enter the parking area. A gun battle ensued. All officials and traders took shelter inside during the shootout. By the end of the one-hour long firefight, all four gunmen were dead. &nbsp;A shaken director of the Karachi Stock Exchange appeared before the media to make a statement.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

He said: "Two of the terrorists were killed at the main gate, the third terrorist was killed at the centre gate and the fourth terrorist was killed at the main entrance gate of the stock exchange building."&nbsp;

Hours after the attack, the Balochistan Liberation Army took responsibility for the attack. &nbsp;A group that has been raising the demand for an independent Balochistan.&nbsp;

Recently, this group targeted Chinese investments in Pakistan. &nbsp;In 2018, the B.L.A. allegedly tried to storm the Chinese consulate in Karachi.&nbsp;

Last year, the group attacked a five-star hotel --- financed by the Chinese in Gwadar.&nbsp;

The attack on the Pakistani stock exchange targets China too.

Earlier, a Chinese consortium acquired a 40 per cent stake in the PSX - the company running the stock trading platform - at Rs 28 per share in January 2017.

A Chinese consortium had bought a 40 per cent stake in the PSX three years ago. Last year, Chinese investors were considering investing up to two billion dollars in the Pakistani stock market.&nbsp;

The B.L.A. has strongly opposed China’s belt and road initiative. Especially, the investments in Balochistan. &nbsp;Since the day the projects were announced --- Balochistan has caught the world’s attention. Tourists and journalists began visiting the province. Triggering major concerns among the locals.&nbsp;

They fear that CPEC will turn the Baloch people into a minority. The Baloch liberation army has resorted to violence to push china back.&nbsp;

As a province -- Balochistan is struggling. &nbsp;Richest in natural resources, lowest in developmental projects and govt priorities. Balochistan's wealth is being drained by Pakistan. The Pak military has been running a brutal campaign of repression.

Forced disappearances are the norm. The coronavirus pandemic has broken the back of the province. The death toll continues to rise. The locals remain cut off from the world.&nbsp;

Last week, students in Quetta were beaten up by the police. They were demanding access to the internet --- to attend their classes.&nbsp;

Now, the attack on the stock exchange --- only brings the focus back on Pakistan's oppression of Balochistan.

First, the economic crisis, then the coronavirus pandemic and now, an attack on its Karachi Stock Exchange. The attack not only targets Pakistan but, its chief creditor China too.

First, the economic crisis, then the coronavirus pandemic and now, an attack on its Karachi Stock Exchange. The attack not only targets Pakistan but, its chief creditor China too. Video from inside the Pakistan Stock Exchange building - intense firing can be heard pic.twitter.com/7xxYW92nHo — omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) June 29, 2020 × This horrific sound of gunshots is coming from inside the Karachi Stock Exchange. Four gunmen drove up to the home of Pakistan’s financial hub on Monday morning. They were inside this black car. After driving to the gate --- two gunmen managed to enter the parking area. A gun battle ensued. All officials and traders took shelter inside during the shootout. By the end of the one-hour long firefight, all four gunmen were dead. A shaken director of the Karachi Stock Exchange appeared before the media to make a statement. He said: "Two of the terrorists were killed at the main gate, the third terrorist was killed at the centre gate and the fourth terrorist was killed at the main entrance gate of the stock exchange building." Hours after the attack, the Balochistan Liberation Army took responsibility for the attack. A group that has been raising the demand for an independent Balochistan. Recently, this group targeted Chinese investments in Pakistan. In 2018, the B.L.A. allegedly tried to storm the Chinese consulate in Karachi. Last year, the group attacked a five-star hotel --- financed by the Chinese in Gwadar. The attack on the Pakistani stock exchange targets China too. Earlier, a Chinese consortium acquired a 40 per cent stake in the PSX - the company running the stock trading platform - at Rs 28 per share in January 2017. A Chinese consortium had bought a 40 per cent stake in the PSX three years ago. Last year, Chinese investors were considering investing up to two billion dollars in the Pakistani stock market. The B.L.A. has strongly opposed China’s belt and road initiative. Especially, the investments in Balochistan. Since the day the projects were announced --- Balochistan has caught the world’s attention. Tourists and journalists began visiting the province. Triggering major concerns among the locals. They fear that CPEC will turn the Baloch people into a minority. The Baloch liberation army has resorted to violence to push china back. As a province -- Balochistan is struggling. Richest in natural resources, lowest in developmental projects and govt priorities. Balochistan's wealth is being drained by Pakistan. The Pak military has been running a brutal campaign of repression. Forced disappearances are the norm. The coronavirus pandemic has broken the back of the province. The death toll continues to rise. The locals remain cut off from the world. Last week, students in Quetta were beaten up by the police. They were demanding access to the internet --- to attend their classes. Now, the attack on the stock exchange --- only brings the focus back on Pakistan's oppression of Balochistan.

Karachi Stock Exchange attacked in Pakistan; Balochistan Liberation Army claims responsibility

Government of India on Monday criticized Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi for peddling conspiracy theories that India was behind the terror attack on the Pakistan stock exchange building in Karachi.

In a scathing response to Qureshi's absurd remarks, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said unlike Pakistan, India has no hesitation in condemning terrorism anywhere in the world including in Karachi.

"India rejects the absurd comments of Foreign Minister of Pakistan on the terrorist attack in Karachi. Pakistan cannot shift the blame on India for its domestic problems," Srivastava said.

He was responding to media queries on false allegations made by Qureshi.

He also referred to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan calling the slain al-Qaeda chief and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden a "martyr" and said Qureshi may wish to reflect on his own government`s position.

"Foreign Minister Qureshi may wish to reflect on this, as also his own Government`s position, including his Prime Minister`s description of the global terrorist as a `martyr`," the spokesperson said.

Hours after gunmen attacked the Pakistani stock exchange in Karachi, Qureshi alleged that the clues of the strike are leading towards sleeper cells activated by India.

(With inputs from agencies)

Government of India on Monday criticized Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi for peddling conspiracy theories that India was behind the terror attack on the Pakistan stock exchange building in Karachi.

Government of India on Monday criticized Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi for peddling conspiracy theories that India was behind the terror attack on the Pakistan stock exchange building in Karachi. In a scathing response to Qureshi's absurd remarks, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said unlike Pakistan, India has no hesitation in condemning terrorism anywhere in the world including in Karachi. "India rejects the absurd comments of Foreign Minister of Pakistan on the terrorist attack in Karachi. Pakistan cannot shift the blame on India for its domestic problems," Srivastava said. He was responding to media queries on false allegations made by Qureshi. He also referred to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan calling the slain al-Qaeda chief and 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden a "martyr" and said Qureshi may wish to reflect on his own government`s position. "Foreign Minister Qureshi may wish to reflect on this, as also his own Government`s position, including his Prime Minister`s description of the global terrorist as a `martyr`," the spokesperson said. Hours after gunmen attacked the Pakistani stock exchange in Karachi, Qureshi alleged that the clues of the strike are leading towards sleeper cells activated by India. (With inputs from agencies)

Govt slams Pakistan for linking Karachi terror attack to India, calls remarks ‘absurd’

Chairman of Baloch National Movement (BNM), Khalil Baloch, has said in a statement that the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is part of China's global Belt and Road project under which Beijing is working in Balochistan to achieve its strategic goals.

"CPEC project has been portrayed as an economic project by Pakistani parliamentary parties, including the National Party, who have secured financial incentives by supporting Pakistan and China. The National Party has fully supported the federal government of Pakistan in negotiating to sell Balochistan to China under Nawaz Sharif's government. Today, the time has proved that Pakistan has mortgaged most of Balochistan, including Gwadar to China in order to maintain its occupation and crush the Baloch independence movement." said Khalil Baloch.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-19-pak-minister-warns-12-million-cases-by-july-end-total-infected-cases-cross-142000-305899">Also read|&nbsp;COVID-19: Pak minister warns 1.2 million cases by July end; total infected cases cross 142,000</a>

He added, "This is an enigma of our national survival and the conspiracies are exposed to separate the Baloch coast from us in the coming years."

Khalil Baloch said since the day the Baloch leadership has continuously notified the world that China is rapidly building a naval base on the Baloch coast and in the future, Jwani and Gwadar will be important bases of the Chinese navy.

"Sadly, the world powers have either ignored the Baloch national voice or they have compromised with China for their short-term economic interests," he further said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/imran-khans-relationship-with-army-on-the-rocks-amid-covid-19-outbreak-305845">Also Read|&nbsp;Imran Khan's relationship with Army on the rocks amid COVID-19 outbreak</a>

The CPEC project will have far-reaching political and military consequences for the region and its impact will be the same for all other countries in the region, including Balochistan.

"Today, China is swiftly shifting the balance of power in the region. This is not only a catastrophic move for Balochistan but other countries in the region will not be spared of its effects. India will be directly affected by Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean and Chinese military presence near the Strait of Hormuz could lead to war in the region," said the Baloch nationalist leader.

He said that China is gaining ground in Balochistan and becoming a new colonial power in the region.

"Thousands of Chinese are already in different areas of Balochistan, including Gwadar and Saindak to complete the CPEC and Saindak projects," he said.

"The Forbes journal has revealed Chinese military compound in Gwadar by affirming our position that, China is strengthening its military bases at an important strategic location like Gwadar under the shadow of economic projects. Several large military bases are being built. In future, the Chinese invasion of the entire Baloch coast will be the most significant concern for the Baloch national existence and identity after the occupation of Pakistan," he said.

Khalil Baloch said that the Baloch have suffered immensely from the resistance against the 'imperialist' CPEC project.

"Many villages have been destroyed and Pakistan army has done aerial bombardment on the route of the CPEC project. Thousands of families are forced to migrate and live in different areas. Many people have been killed and detained in torture cells. These brutalities are continued on a daily basis in Balochistan," he said in a statement.

Khalil Baloch said that the world powers should realise that the Chinese expansionist ambitions and military presence in Balochistan will not only affect the Baloch, rather, it will affect the countries of the region, including India, in particular, and across the world.

"Chinese imperialist ambitions are not limited to Balochistan, but the Belt and Road Initiative is a global project that has apparently divided the world. An important part of the Belt and Road Initiative consists of Gwadar port and CPEC. Balochistan will continue to resist all imperialist plans, including CPEC," he stated.

"Balochistan has paid a huge price by opposing these projects and we will not hesitate to defend our land in the future. But this war must be fought by the entire civilised world, including the countries of the region. We have made it clear multiple times that the Baloch are willing to unite with any power in line with their national interests against China's imperialist ambitions," added the Baloch leader.

He said, "We believe that further silence will bring destruction to the entire region, including Balochistan."

 
&nbsp;

Chairman of Baloch National Movement (BNM), Khalil Baloch, has said in a statement that the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is part of China's global Belt and Road project under which Beijing is working in Balochistan to achieve its strategic goals.

Chairman of Baloch National Movement (BNM), Khalil Baloch, has said in a statement that the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is part of China's global Belt and Road project under which Beijing is working in Balochistan to achieve its strategic goals. "CPEC project has been portrayed as an economic project by Pakistani parliamentary parties, including the National Party, who have secured financial incentives by supporting Pakistan and China. The National Party has fully supported the federal government of Pakistan in negotiating to sell Balochistan to China under Nawaz Sharif's government. Today, the time has proved that Pakistan has mortgaged most of Balochistan, including Gwadar to China in order to maintain its occupation and crush the Baloch independence movement." said Khalil Baloch. Also read| COVID-19: Pak minister warns 1.2 million cases by July end; total infected cases cross 142,000 He added, "This is an enigma of our national survival and the conspiracies are exposed to separate the Baloch coast from us in the coming years." Khalil Baloch said since the day the Baloch leadership has continuously notified the world that China is rapidly building a naval base on the Baloch coast and in the future, Jwani and Gwadar will be important bases of the Chinese navy. "Sadly, the world powers have either ignored the Baloch national voice or they have compromised with China for their short-term economic interests," he further said. Also Read| Imran Khan's relationship with Army on the rocks amid COVID-19 outbreak The CPEC project will have far-reaching political and military consequences for the region and its impact will be the same for all other countries in the region, including Balochistan. "Today, China is swiftly shifting the balance of power in the region. This is not only a catastrophic move for Balochistan but other countries in the region will not be spared of its effects. India will be directly affected by Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean and Chinese military presence near the Strait of Hormuz could lead to war in the region," said the Baloch nationalist leader. He said that China is gaining ground in Balochistan and becoming a new colonial power in the region. "Thousands of Chinese are already in different areas of Balochistan, including Gwadar and Saindak to complete the CPEC and Saindak projects," he said. "The Forbes journal has revealed Chinese military compound in Gwadar by affirming our position that, China is strengthening its military bases at an important strategic location like Gwadar under the shadow of economic projects. Several large military bases are being built. In future, the Chinese invasion of the entire Baloch coast will be the most significant concern for the Baloch national existence and identity after the occupation of Pakistan," he said. Khalil Baloch said that the Baloch have suffered immensely from the resistance against the 'imperialist' CPEC project. "Many villages have been destroyed and Pakistan army has done aerial bombardment on the route of the CPEC project. Thousands of families are forced to migrate and live in different areas. Many people have been killed and detained in torture cells. These brutalities are continued on a daily basis in Balochistan," he said in a statement. Khalil Baloch said that the world powers should realise that the Chinese expansionist ambitions and military presence in Balochistan will not only affect the Baloch, rather, it will affect the countries of the region, including India, in particular, and across the world. "Chinese imperialist ambitions are not limited to Balochistan, but the Belt and Road Initiative is a global project that has apparently divided the world. An important part of the Belt and Road Initiative consists of Gwadar port and CPEC. Balochistan will continue to resist all imperialist plans, including CPEC," he stated. "Balochistan has paid a huge price by opposing these projects and we will not hesitate to defend our land in the future. But this war must be fought by the entire civilised world, including the countries of the region. We have made it clear multiple times that the Baloch are willing to unite with any power in line with their national interests against China's imperialist ambitions," added the Baloch leader. He said, "We believe that further silence will bring destruction to the entire region, including Balochistan."

BNM chief slams China for its imperialist ambitions in Balochistan

Five new cases of enforced disappearance have been reported from Kech and Panjgur district of Balochistan in just two days, the local media reported.

According to the details received by The Balochistan Post, four persons were allegedly detained by the security forces in Kech on Tuesday.

In Panjgur, the zonal leader of the Baloch Student Organization Pajjar (BSO-Pajjar), Alam Baloch, was abducted two days ago. In total, five new cases of enforced disappearances have surfaced in Balochistan in the past two days.

According to sources, the security forces raided a house in Kech, detained four youths, including two brothers, and moved them to unknown locations.

The locals reportedly visited the security forces'&nbsp;encampment and requested the release of the missing persons but the latter denied their involvement in the abduction altogether.

In Panjgur, Alam Baloch was allegedly abducted by the security forces two days ago and the activist has been unheard of since. In a statement, the representative of BSO-Pajjar confirmed the news of Baloch`s abduction.

He further confirmed that Alam Baloch was a student of Balochi literature at the Balochistan University.It is pertinent to mention that such abductions have been carried out innumerable times in Balochistan.

Leaders, activists, and vocal members of various student organizations have been detained by the security forces and kept in confinement.

Feroz Baloch, the leader of the Baloch Student Actions Committee (BSAC) was detained by the Pakistani forces, last year in Kalat district of Balochistan. His whereabouts and condition are still unknown.

Whereas, only in May this year, dozens of students were abducted from different areas of Balochistan in response to the local people`s legitimate demand to exercise their right to self-determination.

This crime against humanity has been going on for so long and so systematically in Balochistan that it has come to be considered as a normal state of affairs in the province.

Many social and human rights activists have flagged the issue of subjection by the Pakistani establishment before the United Nations and other international agencies.

&nbsp;

Five new cases of enforced disappearance have been reported from Kech and Panjgur district of Balochistan in just two days, the local media reported. According to the details received by The Balochistan Post, four persons were allegedly detained by the security forces in Kech on Tuesday.

Five new cases of enforced disappearance have been reported from Kech and Panjgur district of Balochistan in just two days, the local media reported. According to the details received by The Balochistan Post, four persons were allegedly detained by the security forces in Kech on Tuesday. In Panjgur, the zonal leader of the Baloch Student Organization Pajjar (BSO-Pajjar), Alam Baloch, was abducted two days ago. In total, five new cases of enforced disappearances have surfaced in Balochistan in the past two days. According to sources, the security forces raided a house in Kech, detained four youths, including two brothers, and moved them to unknown locations. The locals reportedly visited the security forces' encampment and requested the release of the missing persons but the latter denied their involvement in the abduction altogether. In Panjgur, Alam Baloch was allegedly abducted by the security forces two days ago and the activist has been unheard of since. In a statement, the representative of BSO-Pajjar confirmed the news of Baloch`s abduction. He further confirmed that Alam Baloch was a student of Balochi literature at the Balochistan University.It is pertinent to mention that such abductions have been carried out innumerable times in Balochistan. Leaders, activists, and vocal members of various student organizations have been detained by the security forces and kept in confinement. Feroz Baloch, the leader of the Baloch Student Actions Committee (BSAC) was detained by the Pakistani forces, last year in Kalat district of Balochistan. His whereabouts and condition are still unknown. Whereas, only in May this year, dozens of students were abducted from different areas of Balochistan in response to the local people`s legitimate demand to exercise their right to self-determination. This crime against humanity has been going on for so long and so systematically in Balochistan that it has come to be considered as a normal state of affairs in the province. Many social and human rights activists have flagged the issue of subjection by the Pakistani establishment before the United Nations and other international agencies.

Balochistan registers 5 new cases of enforced disappearance in 2 days

As the news of&nbsp;Baloch journalist Sajid Hussain's death was reported, his well-wishers demanded that a proper investigation be launched by the Swedish authorities. His friends, activists and journalists, are alleging&nbsp;Pakistan's spy agency, ISI, to be behind his tragic death.

Sajid Hussain, went to Sweden in 2012 as an exile, and had been missing. His dead body was found on April 23 in the Fyris river outside Uppsala.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/swedish-police-find-body-of-missing-baloch-journalist-296195">Also read:&nbsp;Swedish police find body of missing Baloch journalist</a>

"The Baloch people are in shock. The Baloch are facing genocide in Balochistan but now even Baloch refugees are not safe in a country like Sweden. We demand proper investigations of this ruthless murder and to provide proper protection to the Baloch people in Europe and other parts of the world,"&nbsp;Professor Naela Quadri, President of the Baloch People`s Congress was quoted by ANI.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thread: 
Body of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SajidHussain?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SajidHussain</a>, our varsity friend, and a fellow journalist, has been found today in Sweden. I am sharing some of his explosive journalistic work (among many others) published in The News about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Balochistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Balochistan</a> that has landed him into trouble. 1
— Zia Ur Rehman (@zalmayzia) <a href="https://twitter.com/zalmayzia/status/1256284561815863297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Hussain was the Editor-in-Chief of Balochistan Times. His wife has revealed that Hussain suspected he was being followed before he fled to Sweden. She said that her husband's report on&nbsp;a top drug lord Imam Bheel in 2012 had landed him amid some threats, following which he left Pakistan.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/pak-summons-senior-indian-diplomat-over-alleged-ceasefire-violation-296267">Also read:&nbsp;Pak summons senior Indian diplomat over alleged ceasefire violation</a>

"Then some people broke into his house in Quetta when he was out investigating a story. They took away his laptop and other papers too. After that he left Pakistan in September 2012 and never came back," his wife was quoted in Dawn.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Saddened to hear about the murder of journalist Sajid Hussain. The <a href="https://twitter.com/SweMFA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SweMFA</a> govt owes it to his family to@investigate the case and ensure that they find who is behind the gruesome act of killing a refugee
— Ayesha Siddiqa (@iamthedrifter) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamthedrifter/status/1256195675479584769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Hussain was known for writing about the human rights violations, state brutalities and barbarism in Balochistan. Like other activists and journalists, who stand up against the barbaric conditions of Balochistan, Hussain too feared for his life.

The Committee to Protest Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders also offered their condolences and demanded a proper investigation be launched.

Balochistan Times also offered condolences on his tragic death. "As a journalist, he was compassionate and wrote extensively on the suffering of the Baloch people. His work often got him into trouble as the authorities did not like his reporting of Balochistan`s forbidden stories, the reason he had to leave and live in exile."

(With inputs from agencies)

As the news of Baloch journalist Sajid Hussain's death was reported, his well-wishers demanded that a proper investigation be launched by the Swedish authorities.

As the news of Baloch journalist Sajid Hussain's death was reported, his well-wishers demanded that a proper investigation be launched by the Swedish authorities. His friends, activists and journalists, are alleging Pakistan's spy agency, ISI, to be behind his tragic death. Sajid Hussain, went to Sweden in 2012 as an exile, and had been missing. His dead body was found on April 23 in the Fyris river outside Uppsala. Also read: Swedish police find body of missing Baloch journalist "The Baloch people are in shock. The Baloch are facing genocide in Balochistan but now even Baloch refugees are not safe in a country like Sweden. We demand proper investigations of this ruthless murder and to provide proper protection to the Baloch people in Europe and other parts of the world," Professor Naela Quadri, President of the Baloch People`s Congress was quoted by ANI. Thread: Body of #SajidHussain, our varsity friend, and a fellow journalist, has been found today in Sweden. I am sharing some of his explosive journalistic work (among many others) published in The News about #Balochistan that has landed him into trouble. 1 — Zia Ur Rehman (@zalmayzia) May 1, 2020 × Hussain was the Editor-in-Chief of Balochistan Times. His wife has revealed that Hussain suspected he was being followed before he fled to Sweden. She said that her husband's report on a top drug lord Imam Bheel in 2012 had landed him amid some threats, following which he left Pakistan. Also read: Pak summons senior Indian diplomat over alleged ceasefire violation "Then some people broke into his house in Quetta when he was out investigating a story. They took away his laptop and other papers too. After that he left Pakistan in September 2012 and never came back," his wife was quoted in Dawn. Saddened to hear about the murder of journalist Sajid Hussain. The @SweMFA govt owes it to his family to@investigate the case and ensure that they find who is behind the gruesome act of killing a refugee — Ayesha Siddiqa (@iamthedrifter) May 1, 2020 × Hussain was known for writing about the human rights violations, state brutalities and barbarism in Balochistan. Like other activists and journalists, who stand up against the barbaric conditions of Balochistan, Hussain too feared for his life. The Committee to Protest Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders also offered their condolences and demanded a proper investigation be launched. Balochistan Times also offered condolences on his tragic death. "As a journalist, he was compassionate and wrote extensively on the suffering of the Baloch people. His work often got him into trouble as the authorities did not like his reporting of Balochistan`s forbidden stories, the reason he had to leave and live in exile." (With inputs from agencies)

ISI behind Baloch journalist Sajid Hussain's death, say well-wishers

After a human right activist launched a campaign to create awareness about the plight of Balochis in Pakistan, the British government has said that they were aware of mass graves in Balochistan.

Activists: Pakistani Army is killing civilians in Balochistan, Anti campaign starts in Geneva

UK concerned over mass graves in Balochistan

Political activists, experts and European parliamentarians on Wednesday discussed the deplorable condition of people in Balochistan. The conference titled 'Genocide in Balochistan: the role of the international community' was held under 'Save The Baloch' campaign -- launched by the Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC). In the meeting, the dignitaries discussed human rights abuse in Balochistan.

Baloch political activists highlighted the atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army as they have launched operations in Balochistan, killing civilians and destroying their houses.

Razzak Baloch, organiser, USA Chapter of Baloch Human Rights Council, told ANI: "Every 10 miles, there is a check post. Balochistan has become a bigger jail. People cannot move around. You cannot even question them. Life is very miserable. You cannot move around in Balochistan. Is this freedom? We want to be free. We want to breathe freely."

Taha Siddiqui, a Pakistani journalist, who is now living in exile, said, "In Balochistan, currently the biggest issue is that for a very long time there was abuse. There were atrocities by the Pakistani state, but now it is not just about these missing persons actually. What is the problem is that there are missing stories, there is an information black hole and things are not being reported independently or not even reported at all."

"We do not even have an idea of what is going on and that is worse than being able to report about it and talk about it. So in that sense, the way there are secret military operations and religious radicalisation going on and all of this is not being reported," he added.

Taha, who escaped his abduction in Pakistan by secret agencies further said, "Ever since China invested in Balochistan, the crackdown by the military and Pakistani state has worsened and they do not want to talk about Baloch issues. Nothing negative can be reported from the country because China does not want it, so the Pakistan military does not want it."

The event was also attended by a member of the European Parliament who spoke about the persecution of people in the mineral-rich but the poorest province in Pakistan.

Ryszard Czarnecki, a Member of European Parliament (MEP), said, "You have a very active (Baloch) diaspora, especially in Europe. Representatives of this diaspora inform us, the members of European Parliament about the real situation in Balochistan and about Pakistani violations and lack of respecting human rights in this region."

"We should make an intervention at different international levels. People in Balochistan should feel that they are not alone. I would like to express my solidarity with our brothers and sisters in this region," the MEP added.

(With inputs from ANI)

Political activists, experts and European parliamentarians on Wednesday discussed the deplorable condition of people in Balochistan. The conference titled 'Genocide in Balochistan: the role of the international community' was held under 'Save The Baloch' campaign -- launched by the Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC).

Political activists, experts and European parliamentarians on Wednesday discussed the deplorable condition of people in Balochistan. The conference titled 'Genocide in Balochistan: the role of the international community' was held under 'Save The Baloch' campaign -- launched by the Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC). In the meeting, the dignitaries discussed human rights abuse in Balochistan. Baloch political activists highlighted the atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army as they have launched operations in Balochistan, killing civilians and destroying their houses. Razzak Baloch, organiser, USA Chapter of Baloch Human Rights Council, told ANI: "Every 10 miles, there is a check post. Balochistan has become a bigger jail. People cannot move around. You cannot even question them. Life is very miserable. You cannot move around in Balochistan. Is this freedom? We want to be free. We want to breathe freely." Taha Siddiqui, a Pakistani journalist, who is now living in exile, said, "In Balochistan, currently the biggest issue is that for a very long time there was abuse. There were atrocities by the Pakistani state, but now it is not just about these missing persons actually. What is the problem is that there are missing stories, there is an information black hole and things are not being reported independently or not even reported at all." "We do not even have an idea of what is going on and that is worse than being able to report about it and talk about it. So in that sense, the way there are secret military operations and religious radicalisation going on and all of this is not being reported," he added. Taha, who escaped his abduction in Pakistan by secret agencies further said, "Ever since China invested in Balochistan, the crackdown by the military and Pakistani state has worsened and they do not want to talk about Baloch issues. Nothing negative can be reported from the country because China does not want it, so the Pakistan military does not want it." The event was also attended by a member of the European Parliament who spoke about the persecution of people in the mineral-rich but the poorest province in Pakistan. Ryszard Czarnecki, a Member of European Parliament (MEP), said, "You have a very active (Baloch) diaspora, especially in Europe. Representatives of this diaspora inform us, the members of European Parliament about the real situation in Balochistan and about Pakistani violations and lack of respecting human rights in this region." "We should make an intervention at different international levels. People in Balochistan should feel that they are not alone. I would like to express my solidarity with our brothers and sisters in this region," the MEP added. (With inputs from ANI)

Activists, experts raise issue of human rights abuse in Balochistan at Geneva conference

Political activists, experts and European parliamentarians here discussed deplorable conditions of people in Balochistan on Wednesday.

The 'Save The Baloch' campaign has been launched by the Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) where the participants discuss human rights abuse in Balochistan at a conference titled "Genocide in Balochistan: the role of the international community".

The Baloch political activists highlighted the atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army as they have launched operations in Balochistan, killing civilians and destroying their houses.

Razzak Baloch, organiser, USA Chapter of Baloch Human Rights Council, said, "Every 10 miles there is a check post, Balochistan has become a bigger jail. People cannot move around. You cannot even question them as to why you are stopping us? Why are you searching for our bodies? Why are you searching for our women? Why are you searching for our children?"

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/geneva-activists-protest-seek-un-intervention-to-prevent-pak-inflicted-genocide-in-balochistan-284207">Geneva: Activists protest, seek UN intervention to prevent Pak-inflicted genocide in Balochistan</a>

"Life is very miserable. You cannot move around in Balochistan. Anybody talks and he`s vanished. Is this freedom? We want to be free. We want to breathe freely. It is the duty of our neighbours also to see what is going on in Balochistan," he added.

Taha Siddiqui, a Pakistani journalist, who is now living in exile, said, "In Balochistan, currently the biggest issue is that for a very long time there was abuse. There was a lot of atrocities by the Pakistani state, but now it is not just about these missing persons actually. What is the problem is that there are missing stories, there is an information black hole and things are not being reported independently or not even reported at all."

He added, "So, the worst thing that is going on in Balochistan is that we do not even have an idea of what is going on and that is worse than being able to report about it and talk about it. So in that sense, the way there are secret military operations going on, the abduction is going on, there is religious radicalisation going on and all of this is not being reported."

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/women-in-pakistan-protest-against-violence-rape-honour-killings-285109">Women in Pakistan protest against violence, rape, honour killings</a>

Taha, who escaped his abduction in Pakistan by secret agencies told the source, "The media is not being allowed and we are seeing that this is intensifying ever since China has come into the equation."

He said that ever since China has invested in Balochistan, "the crackdown by the military and Pakistani state has worsened and they do not want to talk about Baloch issues, the human rights abuse or whatever is happening in Balochistan."

"Nothing negative can be reported from the country because China does not want it, so the Pakistan military does not want it," the Pakistani journalist added.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/central-asia/womens-rights-activists-attacked-then-detained-in-kyrgyzstan-285086">Women's rights activists attacked then detained in Kyrgyzstan</a>

The event was also attended by a member of the European Parliament who talked about the persecution of people in the mineral-rich but the poorest province in Pakistan.

Ryszard Czarnecki, a Member of European Parliament (MEP) told the source, "You have a very active (Baloch) diaspora, especially in Europe. Representatives of this diaspora inform us, the members of the European Parliament about the real situation in Balochistan and about Pakistani violations and lack of respecting human rights in this region."

"Obviously, we should make an intervention at different international levels. The people in Balochistan should feel that they are not alone. I would like to express my solidarity with our brothers and sisters in this region," the MEP said.

Political activists, experts and European parliamentarians here discussed deplorable conditions of people in Balochistan on Wednesday. The 'Save The Baloch' campaign has been launched by the Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) where the participants discuss human rights abuse in Balochistan at a conference titled "Genocide in Balochistan: the role of the international community".

Political activists, experts and European parliamentarians here discussed deplorable conditions of people in Balochistan on Wednesday. The 'Save The Baloch' campaign has been launched by the Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC) where the participants discuss human rights abuse in Balochistan at a conference titled "Genocide in Balochistan: the role of the international community". The Baloch political activists highlighted the atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army as they have launched operations in Balochistan, killing civilians and destroying their houses. Razzak Baloch, organiser, USA Chapter of Baloch Human Rights Council, said, "Every 10 miles there is a check post, Balochistan has become a bigger jail. People cannot move around. You cannot even question them as to why you are stopping us? Why are you searching for our bodies? Why are you searching for our women? Why are you searching for our children?" Also read: Geneva: Activists protest, seek UN intervention to prevent Pak-inflicted genocide in Balochistan "Life is very miserable. You cannot move around in Balochistan. Anybody talks and he`s vanished. Is this freedom? We want to be free. We want to breathe freely. It is the duty of our neighbours also to see what is going on in Balochistan," he added. Taha Siddiqui, a Pakistani journalist, who is now living in exile, said, "In Balochistan, currently the biggest issue is that for a very long time there was abuse. There was a lot of atrocities by the Pakistani state, but now it is not just about these missing persons actually. What is the problem is that there are missing stories, there is an information black hole and things are not being reported independently or not even reported at all." He added, "So, the worst thing that is going on in Balochistan is that we do not even have an idea of what is going on and that is worse than being able to report about it and talk about it. So in that sense, the way there are secret military operations going on, the abduction is going on, there is religious radicalisation going on and all of this is not being reported." Also see: Women in Pakistan protest against violence, rape, honour killings Taha, who escaped his abduction in Pakistan by secret agencies told the source, "The media is not being allowed and we are seeing that this is intensifying ever since China has come into the equation." He said that ever since China has invested in Balochistan, "the crackdown by the military and Pakistani state has worsened and they do not want to talk about Baloch issues, the human rights abuse or whatever is happening in Balochistan." "Nothing negative can be reported from the country because China does not want it, so the Pakistan military does not want it," the Pakistani journalist added. Also read: Women's rights activists attacked then detained in Kyrgyzstan The event was also attended by a member of the European Parliament who talked about the persecution of people in the mineral-rich but the poorest province in Pakistan. Ryszard Czarnecki, a Member of European Parliament (MEP) told the source, "You have a very active (Baloch) diaspora, especially in Europe. Representatives of this diaspora inform us, the members of the European Parliament about the real situation in Balochistan and about Pakistani violations and lack of respecting human rights in this region." "Obviously, we should make an intervention at different international levels. The people in Balochistan should feel that they are not alone. I would like to express my solidarity with our brothers and sisters in this region," the MEP said.

Activists, experts raise issues of human rights abuse in Balochistan

Pakistan's "Iron Lady of Balochistan"&nbsp;Jalila Haider will receive the International Women of Courage award this year, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced today.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/geneva-activists-protest-seek-un-intervention-to-prevent-pak-inflicted-genocide-in-balochistan-284207">Also Read: &nbsp;Activists seek UN intervention to prevent genocide in Balochistan</a>

"Jalila Haider is a human rights attorney and founder of "We the Humans - Pakistan", a non-profit organization to lift local communities by strengthening opportunities for vulnerable women and children," the US government said in a statement, adding,"she specialises in defending women’s rights and provides free counselling and legal services to poverty-affected women."

Jalila Haider who belongs to the Hazara community has led "peaceful hunger strike to recognise the right to life for the Hazara following a series of targeted attacks," the US government said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baloch-women-children-hold-protest-against-enforced-disappearances-257694">Also Read: Baloch women, children hold protest against enforced disappearances</a>

She has not only taken up the cause of many other vulnerable communities, Jalila is&nbsp;also the president of Balochistan’s Women Democratic Front and Balochistan’s branch of the "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-gears-up-for-womens-march-amid-row-284040">Aurat</a>&nbsp;(Woman’s) March"&nbsp;and&nbsp;has fought against violence against women in public spaces and at work, the US government asserted.

Jalila will receive the award on March 4 along with tweleve women from around the world. The award which was instituted in 2007 has recognised 134 women from 73 countries so far.

Pakistan's "Iron Lady of Balochistan" Jalila Haider will receive the International Women of Courage award this year, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced today.

Pakistan's "Iron Lady of Balochistan" Jalila Haider will receive the International Women of Courage award this year, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced today. Also Read: Activists seek UN intervention to prevent genocide in Balochistan "Jalila Haider is a human rights attorney and founder of "We the Humans - Pakistan", a non-profit organization to lift local communities by strengthening opportunities for vulnerable women and children," the US government said in a statement, adding,"she specialises in defending women’s rights and provides free counselling and legal services to poverty-affected women." Jalila Haider who belongs to the Hazara community has led "peaceful hunger strike to recognise the right to life for the Hazara following a series of targeted attacks," the US government said. Also Read: Baloch women, children hold protest against enforced disappearances She has not only taken up the cause of many other vulnerable communities, Jalila is also the president of Balochistan’s Women Democratic Front and Balochistan’s branch of the "Aurat (Woman’s) March" and has fought against violence against women in public spaces and at work, the US government asserted. Jalila will receive the award on March 4 along with tweleve women from around the world. The award which was instituted in 2007 has recognised 134 women from 73 countries so far.

Jalila Haider, the 'Iron Lady of Balochistan' to receive US government's International Women of Courage award

At least seven people have been killed and nearly 20 wounded in an explosion that took place in Pakistan's Quetta, Balochistan.&nbsp;

According to reports, the blast took place during a demonstration at the Quetta Press Club near the Shahrah-i-Adalat.&nbsp;

Many vehicles parked in the vicinity have also been damaged due to the impact of the blast, The Dawn reported.

The area has been cordoned off while a search operation is underway.&nbsp;

The nature of the blast has not yet been ascertained.

Minister of Interior Blaochistan Zia Langove said that the number of those injured by the blast may rise.

News agency Reuters reported the explosion as a suicide attack which targeted a police vehicle.

Two police personnel were among those killed in the blast in the city of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

"We have received 10 bodies so far and 35 injured in Civil Hospital,” a hospital official told Reuters.

Two police personnel were among the dead, a senior police official confirmed.

(With inputs from Reuters and PTI)

 
&nbsp;

At least seven people have been killed and nearly 20 wounded in an explosion that took place in Pakistan's Quetta, Balochistan. According to reports, the blast took place during a demonstration at the Quetta Press Club near the Shahrah-i-Adalat.

At least seven people have been killed and nearly 20 wounded in an explosion that took place in Pakistan's Quetta, Balochistan. According to reports, the blast took place during a demonstration at the Quetta Press Club near the Shahrah-i-Adalat. Many vehicles parked in the vicinity have also been damaged due to the impact of the blast, The Dawn reported. The area has been cordoned off while a search operation is underway. The nature of the blast has not yet been ascertained. Minister of Interior Blaochistan Zia Langove said that the number of those injured by the blast may rise. News agency Reuters reported the explosion as a suicide attack which targeted a police vehicle. Two police personnel were among those killed in the blast in the city of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, Reuters reported. "We have received 10 bodies so far and 35 injured in Civil Hospital,” a hospital official told Reuters. Two police personnel were among the dead, a senior police official confirmed. (With inputs from Reuters and PTI)

Pakistan: Blast in Quetta kills at least 7, nearly 20 wounded

The number of deaths due to snowfall and rain&nbsp;in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dozens-dead-in-pakistan-afghanistan-due-to-heavy-rains-and-snowfall-274056">Pakistan</a>&nbsp;in the last three days has risen to 70.

According to reports, at least 29 people have been injured as a result of the rains.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dozens-dead-in-pakistan-afghanistan-due-to-heavy-rains-and-snowfall-274056">Dozens dead in Pakistan, Afghanistan due to heavy rains and snowfall</a>

In <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/35-killed-in-rain-related-incidents-in-pakistan-274185">Balochistan</a>, the rain has claimed the lives of 15 individuals and injured 11 people, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

At least, 19 people have lost their lives in an avalanche while 10 were reported missing.

All important thoroughfares have been closed in Balochistan until further notice.

These include Khanozai road, Bolan road and Quetta-Chaman road.

Lowari road in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 23 inches of snowfall.&nbsp;Rescue efforts are currently underway.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/climate-change-unleashes-natures-fury-on-the-world-274163#harsh-winter-kills-30-in-pakistan-274150">How climate change is unleashing nature's fury on the world</a>

It is expected that most parts of the country will experience cold and dry weather.

While a few of them were rescued alive, many soldiers at forward positions were still missing.

The number of deaths due to snowfall and rain in Pakistan in the last three days has risen to 70. According to reports, at least 29 people have been injured as a result of the rains.

The number of deaths due to snowfall and rain in Pakistan in the last three days has risen to 70. According to reports, at least 29 people have been injured as a result of the rains. Also read: Dozens dead in Pakistan, Afghanistan due to heavy rains and snowfall In Balochistan, the rain has claimed the lives of 15 individuals and injured 11 people, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). At least, 19 people have lost their lives in an avalanche while 10 were reported missing. All important thoroughfares have been closed in Balochistan until further notice. These include Khanozai road, Bolan road and Quetta-Chaman road. Lowari road in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 23 inches of snowfall. Rescue efforts are currently underway. Also see: How climate change is unleashing nature's fury on the world It is expected that most parts of the country will experience cold and dry weather. While a few of them were rescued alive, many soldiers at forward positions were still missing.

Heavy snowfall, rain in Pakistan; death toll rises to 70

At least 35 people have died in Pakistan in rain-related incidents including avalanches and landslides.

Pakistan is witnessing a strong westerly weather system bringing heavy rains that battered several parts of the country, reported Dawn.

Heavy rains triggered landslides and avalanches in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Malakand and Hazara divisions, leading to the closure of major roads and highways, including the Karakoram Highway, while Chitral was cut off from the rest of the province due to snowfall.

Most of the causalities are reported in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and the upper parts of Balochistan. Rains and avalanches damaged over two dozens houses, several shops and a mosque in these two regions.

Meanwhile, intermittent rain caused flooding in low lying areas of the country.

At least 35 people have died in Pakistan in rain-related incidents including avalanches and landslides. Pakistan is witnessing a strong westerly weather system bringing heavy rains that battered several parts of the country, reported Dawn.

At least 35 people have died in Pakistan in rain-related incidents including avalanches and landslides. Pakistan is witnessing a strong westerly weather system bringing heavy rains that battered several parts of the country, reported Dawn. Heavy rains triggered landslides and avalanches in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Malakand and Hazara divisions, leading to the closure of major roads and highways, including the Karakoram Highway, while Chitral was cut off from the rest of the province due to snowfall. Most of the causalities are reported in Pakistan occupied Kashmir and the upper parts of Balochistan. Rains and avalanches damaged over two dozens houses, several shops and a mosque in these two regions. Meanwhile, intermittent rain caused flooding in low lying areas of the country.

35 killed in rain related incidents in Pakistan

Analysts have warned Pakistan that the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/wion-edit-will-cpec-inflict-debt-burden-on-pakistan-264913">CPEC</a>) will provide little benefit to the locals, especially those in the marginalised and volatile province of Balochistan.

"The Belt and Road Initiative, with CPEC as its flagship, is based on infrastructure and energy projects, aimed at enhancing trade through this particular route. It is not a humanitarian intervention designed to benefit the masses. All those who perceive it that way should correct themselves," Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, the former spokesperson of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bilawal-accused-pakistan-government-of-changing-cpec-route-to-deprived-baloch-people-of-benefits-268483">Balochistan government</a> was quoted as saying by Asia Times.

The escalation of activity on CPEC projects comes after the incumbent Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) government started its tenure in August 2018 with skepticism about Islamabad's agreement with Beijing.

The Hong Kong-based media in its report stated that during Chinese Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-court-sentences-pastor-to-nine-years-in-jail-for-inciting-subversion-270966">Wang Yi</a>'s visit to Islamabad and Imran Khan's visit to Beijing in 2018, Pakistan was looking for a rejig of the CPEC agreements, which had been shared with China.

Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce, Industry and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood had then reportedly expressed the government's desire to put the CPEC "on hold" while the terms were renegotiated.

This caused major embarrassment to Khan and his team during his November 2018 visit to Beijing, government officials had revealed.

A year later in October 2019, Khan arrived in Beijing seeking China's support on Kashmir and the looming blacklisting at the hands of counter-terror watchdog Financial Action Task Force (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fatf-calls-for-stricter-actions-from-pakistan-on-crackdown-of-terror-groups-269771">FATF</a>). The Pakistani government formally agreed to the terms laid out by China for the second phase of the CPEC.

"Instead of reviewing the terms of the first phase of the CPEC, Beijing has actually enforced its will on the second phase as well. There have been no changes in the execution of the projects and the road map for the corridor. In fact, China has explicitly expressed displeasure of the lack of activity over the past year and a half," revealed a senior diplomat.

Meanwhile, officials have also revealed that in addition to the CPEC power projects being "economically more expensive" for Pakistan, Beijing has the entirety of a similarly skewed plan laid out.

Immediately after Khan's visit to Beijing last year, Wang Zhiqing, China's Chief Planner of the Ministry of Transport, arrived in Islamabad to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pakistani Minister for Communications Murad Saeed, regarding the transport infrastructure of the second phase of the economic corridor. 
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-opposition-parties-call-cpecas-formation-as-illegal-254704">CPECA</a>) was formally unveiled in October 2019.

The terms require Islamabad to return USD 21.8 billion in commercial loans and USD 7.75 billion in bilateral debt to Beijing over the next three years. 
After Pakistan continued to pursue CPEC, Washington had also warned the former dubbing it as a "debt trap."

However, analysts have maintained that Islamabad rebuking the remarks clearly underlines that Imran Khan's PTI government knows that it cannot afford to offend Beijing anymore.

With Khan recently inaugurating the second phase of the multi-billion dollar project including nine SEZs, it is to be seen how the CPEC upgrade Pakistan's infrastructure and strengthen its economy.

Analysts have warned Pakistan that the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will provide little benefit to the locals, especially those in the marginalised and volatile province of Balochistan.

Analysts have warned Pakistan that the multi-billion dollar China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will provide little benefit to the locals, especially those in the marginalised and volatile province of Balochistan. "The Belt and Road Initiative, with CPEC as its flagship, is based on infrastructure and energy projects, aimed at enhancing trade through this particular route. It is not a humanitarian intervention designed to benefit the masses. All those who perceive it that way should correct themselves," Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, the former spokesperson of the Balochistan government was quoted as saying by Asia Times. The escalation of activity on CPEC projects comes after the incumbent Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) government started its tenure in August 2018 with skepticism about Islamabad's agreement with Beijing. The Hong Kong-based media in its report stated that during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Islamabad and Imran Khan's visit to Beijing in 2018, Pakistan was looking for a rejig of the CPEC agreements, which had been shared with China. Prime Minister's Advisor on Commerce, Industry and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood had then reportedly expressed the government's desire to put the CPEC "on hold" while the terms were renegotiated. This caused major embarrassment to Khan and his team during his November 2018 visit to Beijing, government officials had revealed. A year later in October 2019, Khan arrived in Beijing seeking China's support on Kashmir and the looming blacklisting at the hands of counter-terror watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The Pakistani government formally agreed to the terms laid out by China for the second phase of the CPEC. "Instead of reviewing the terms of the first phase of the CPEC, Beijing has actually enforced its will on the second phase as well. There have been no changes in the execution of the projects and the road map for the corridor. In fact, China has explicitly expressed displeasure of the lack of activity over the past year and a half," revealed a senior diplomat. Meanwhile, officials have also revealed that in addition to the CPEC power projects being "economically more expensive" for Pakistan, Beijing has the entirety of a similarly skewed plan laid out. Immediately after Khan's visit to Beijing last year, Wang Zhiqing, China's Chief Planner of the Ministry of Transport, arrived in Islamabad to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pakistani Minister for Communications Murad Saeed, regarding the transport infrastructure of the second phase of the economic corridor. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPECA) was formally unveiled in October 2019. The terms require Islamabad to return USD 21.8 billion in commercial loans and USD 7.75 billion in bilateral debt to Beijing over the next three years. After Pakistan continued to pursue CPEC, Washington had also warned the former dubbing it as a "debt trap." However, analysts have maintained that Islamabad rebuking the remarks clearly underlines that Imran Khan's PTI government knows that it cannot afford to offend Beijing anymore. With Khan recently inaugurating the second phase of the multi-billion dollar project including nine SEZs, it is to be seen how the CPEC upgrade Pakistan's infrastructure and strengthen its economy.

CPEC will provide little benefit to locals, especially those in volatile province of Balochistan: Report

Pakistan has issued special permits to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani and nine other members of the royal family to hunt endangered birds Houbara Bustard during the 2019-20 hunting season, the media reported after quoting sources.

The allotted hunting areas are spread over Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab provinces of the country. The permit, which is person-specific, allows huntsmen to kill 100 Houbara Bustards in a 10-day safari during the three-month hunting season between November 1, 2019, and January 31, 2020, Dawn reported.

The permit holders include the Qatari Emir, his uncle, brother and seven other royal dignitaries of the Gulf nation.

The decision has been met with severe criticism in the country.

Originally the inhabitant of the colder central Asian region, the Houbara Bustard, in order to avoid harsh weather conditions in its habitat, migrates southwards to spend the winter in a relatively warm environment here every year.

Keeping in view its dwindling population, the migratory bird is not only protected under various international nature conservation treaties but its hunting is also banned under local wildlife protection laws. Pakistanis themselves are not allowed to hunt this bird.

It is evident that Pakistan has used the hunting permit as a foreign policy card to influence dignitaries from oil-rich Gulf nations.

Sources divulged that earlier when the ruling Tehreek-i-Insaf party was in the opposition, it used to criticise the federal government over this issue and condemned the hunting of the endangered birds in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the party was a part of the provincial government.

Pakistan has issued special permits to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani and nine other members of the royal family to hunt endangered birds Houbara Bustard during the 2019-20 hunting season, the media reported after quoting sources.

Pakistan has issued special permits to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani and nine other members of the royal family to hunt endangered birds Houbara Bustard during the 2019-20 hunting season, the media reported after quoting sources. The allotted hunting areas are spread over Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab provinces of the country. The permit, which is person-specific, allows huntsmen to kill 100 Houbara Bustards in a 10-day safari during the three-month hunting season between November 1, 2019, and January 31, 2020, Dawn reported. The permit holders include the Qatari Emir, his uncle, brother and seven other royal dignitaries of the Gulf nation. The decision has been met with severe criticism in the country. Originally the inhabitant of the colder central Asian region, the Houbara Bustard, in order to avoid harsh weather conditions in its habitat, migrates southwards to spend the winter in a relatively warm environment here every year. Keeping in view its dwindling population, the migratory bird is not only protected under various international nature conservation treaties but its hunting is also banned under local wildlife protection laws. Pakistanis themselves are not allowed to hunt this bird. It is evident that Pakistan has used the hunting permit as a foreign policy card to influence dignitaries from oil-rich Gulf nations. Sources divulged that earlier when the ruling Tehreek-i-Insaf party was in the opposition, it used to criticise the federal government over this issue and condemned the hunting of the endangered birds in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the party was a part of the provincial government.

Pakistan grants special rights to Qatari Emir, 9 others to hunt endangered birds

At least nine members of the Pakistan navy were killed and 29 other people injured when their bus fell into a deep roadside ditch in the south of the country on Tuesday, officials said.

The bus was on its way to Karachi from a naval base in Balochistan province when it developed a technical fault and crashed on a mountain pass on the Makran Coastal Highway, Muhammad Jameel, assistant commissioner for Bela town near where the accident took place, told Reuters.

"Nine soldiers of the navy were killed and 29 others including women and children were injured in the incident," Jameel said, adding that victims were transferred to a nearby navy hospital.

At least nine members of the Pakistan navy were killed and 29 other people injured when their bus fell into a deep roadside ditch in the south of the country on Tuesday, officials said.

At least nine members of the Pakistan navy were killed and 29 other people injured when their bus fell into a deep roadside ditch in the south of the country on Tuesday, officials said. The bus was on its way to Karachi from a naval base in Balochistan province when it developed a technical fault and crashed on a mountain pass on the Makran Coastal Highway, Muhammad Jameel, assistant commissioner for Bela town near where the accident took place, told Reuters. "Nine soldiers of the navy were killed and 29 others including women and children were injured in the incident," Jameel said, adding that victims were transferred to a nearby navy hospital.

Nine members of Pakistan navy killed in bus crash: Officials

Leaders of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/widespread-protests-in-pok-ring-alarm-bells-for-islamabad-260745">Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir</a> (PoK) based party have challenged the Pakistani establishment to form a joint team and access the ground situation in Gilgit-Baltistan where the people for long have been facing the question of their survival for different reasons. 
 
The region of Gilgit-Baltistan and the misnamed 'Azad' Kashmir ('AJK') in northeastern Pakistan face severe power shortages, pay higher prices for electricity and receive no royalty from Pakistan against the acquisition of land for China's multi-billion dollar projects under the CPEC and dams raised in the illegally occupied territories. 
 
Addressing the media here, members of the Awami Action Committee (AAC) said: "We have a proposal for Pakistan, let's form one team comprising our members and the journalists and another team comprising members of the administration." 
 
"The Government team can raid common households and our team be allowed to raid government departments. They (Government) can seize our electrical equipment if they find it a luxury for us and let us raid their special electrical connections and transformers they have set up specifically for administrators," they said. 
 
"Let us see if this could resolve this matter of electricity," they said while mocking the Pakistani establishment over the ongoing economic crisis that has badly affected the people in the region, who lack access to water, electricity and even the most basic requirements. 
 
They also stated that had they rejected the taxation policies introduced in the federal budget by the Pakistan government, which negatively impacts businesses in this region. 
 
"The Government of Pakistan first installed a plastic meter during the construction of a 14-megawatt hydropower plant in Gilgit-Baltistan. They coerced us to install those meters saying there would be no electricity issues from now on," said another member. 
 
"Earlier we had much efficient German made meters at our homes but they replaced them with these cheap plastic meters. Where are that crores of money? Another 18-megawatts hydro-electric project is under construction. They would make us install a new metre for that and so on. Electricity does not come just by installing metres," he added. 
 
The Awami Action Committee also pointed out that the region receives no royalty from Pakistan against the acquisition of land for multi-billion dollar CPEC project and dams raised in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/traders-in-pok-gilgit-baltistan-conduct-shutter-down-protest-against-unfair-taxation-policies-260156">illegally occupied territory of Gilgit-Baltistan</a>. 
 
They added: "Electric poles are pegged on our land, wires are laid through our land, rather than getting royalty we are facing load shedding and shortage of drinking water due to dirty water held up after the construction of dams. We are drinking that dirty water just in the optimism of getting uninterrupted power supply. This whole gamut of installing new meters is just to make money through corrupt practice." 
 
There is widespread resentment against the Pakistani administration in Gilgit Baltistan. 
 
They are saturated with the ill-practices of corruption and continuous suppression, which Pakistan has been perpetrating for decades.

Leaders of a Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) based party have challenged the Pakistani establishment to form a joint team and access the ground situation in Gilgit-Baltistan where the people for long have been facing the question of their survival for different reasons.

Leaders of a Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) based party have challenged the Pakistani establishment to form a joint team and access the ground situation in Gilgit-Baltistan where the people for long have been facing the question of their survival for different reasons. The region of Gilgit-Baltistan and the misnamed 'Azad' Kashmir ('AJK') in northeastern Pakistan face severe power shortages, pay higher prices for electricity and receive no royalty from Pakistan against the acquisition of land for China's multi-billion dollar projects under the CPEC and dams raised in the illegally occupied territories. Addressing the media here, members of the Awami Action Committee (AAC) said: "We have a proposal for Pakistan, let's form one team comprising our members and the journalists and another team comprising members of the administration." "The Government team can raid common households and our team be allowed to raid government departments. They (Government) can seize our electrical equipment if they find it a luxury for us and let us raid their special electrical connections and transformers they have set up specifically for administrators," they said. "Let us see if this could resolve this matter of electricity," they said while mocking the Pakistani establishment over the ongoing economic crisis that has badly affected the people in the region, who lack access to water, electricity and even the most basic requirements. They also stated that had they rejected the taxation policies introduced in the federal budget by the Pakistan government, which negatively impacts businesses in this region. "The Government of Pakistan first installed a plastic meter during the construction of a 14-megawatt hydropower plant in Gilgit-Baltistan. They coerced us to install those meters saying there would be no electricity issues from now on," said another member. "Earlier we had much efficient German made meters at our homes but they replaced them with these cheap plastic meters. Where are that crores of money? Another 18-megawatts hydro-electric project is under construction. They would make us install a new metre for that and so on. Electricity does not come just by installing metres," he added. The Awami Action Committee also pointed out that the region receives no royalty from Pakistan against the acquisition of land for multi-billion dollar CPEC project and dams raised in the illegally occupied territory of Gilgit-Baltistan. They added: "Electric poles are pegged on our land, wires are laid through our land, rather than getting royalty we are facing load shedding and shortage of drinking water due to dirty water held up after the construction of dams. We are drinking that dirty water just in the optimism of getting uninterrupted power supply. This whole gamut of installing new meters is just to make money through corrupt practice." There is widespread resentment against the Pakistani administration in Gilgit Baltistan. They are saturated with the ill-practices of corruption and continuous suppression, which Pakistan has been perpetrating for decades.

PoK: Awami Action Committee challenges Pakistan to assess ground situation

Relatives of missing Baloch people on Tuesday held a protest rally in Quetta city to demand the immediate release of their family members who have been illegally abducted by security forces.

The protestors said that a large number of political activists and intellectuals were being abducted illegally by security forces from various parts of Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan.

Relatives of Rashid Hussain, who was abducted from UAE and later deported to Pakistan also joined the protest. His mother along with other missing person <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/balochistan-women-protest-against-enforced-disappearances-in-quetta-253945">families protested in Quetta</a> for his safe return and release of other Baloch missing persons.

Hussain was handed over to Pakistan's law enforcement agencies in June this year.

He has since been kept in an undisclosed location that has further added to the miseries of his family regarding Rashid's safety and well being.

An online campaign has also been launched to demand the release of Hussain. Social media users are raising their voice using hashtag #SaveRashidHussain and #SaveBalochMissingPersons.

The protesters were also joined by Mama Qadir Baloch, of 'Voice for Baloch Missing Persons', who has been running a campaign for thousands of missing Baloch people.

Similar protests against enforced disappearances were held in Quetta earlier this month.

Enforced disappearances still take place in Balochistan with full immunity and the Pakistani state institutions have repeatedly failed to act against such inhuman crimes of state agencies.

Relatives of missing Baloch people on Tuesday held a protest rally in Quetta city to demand the immediate release of their family members who have been illegally abducted by security forces.

Relatives of missing Baloch people on Tuesday held a protest rally in Quetta city to demand the immediate release of their family members who have been illegally abducted by security forces. The protestors said that a large number of political activists and intellectuals were being abducted illegally by security forces from various parts of Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan. Relatives of Rashid Hussain, who was abducted from UAE and later deported to Pakistan also joined the protest. His mother along with other missing person families protested in Quetta for his safe return and release of other Baloch missing persons. Hussain was handed over to Pakistan's law enforcement agencies in June this year. He has since been kept in an undisclosed location that has further added to the miseries of his family regarding Rashid's safety and well being. An online campaign has also been launched to demand the release of Hussain. Social media users are raising their voice using hashtag #SaveRashidHussain and #SaveBalochMissingPersons. The protesters were also joined by Mama Qadir Baloch, of 'Voice for Baloch Missing Persons', who has been running a campaign for thousands of missing Baloch people. Similar protests against enforced disappearances were held in Quetta earlier this month. Enforced disappearances still take place in Balochistan with full immunity and the Pakistani state institutions have repeatedly failed to act against such inhuman crimes of state agencies.

Baloch women, children hold protest against enforced disappearances

Several student organisations under the banner of Students Educational Alliance on Thursday continued their protests for the fourth consecutive day over alleged harassment and blackmail of students by some officials of Balochistan University.

The demonstrators, who staged their protest outside the Quetta Press Club, alleged that the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Balochistan (UoB) was responsible for the entire scandal as VC was the 'head of blackmailers and saviour of the culprits', reported Express Tribune.

The protesting students marched through the campus to put pressure on the officials to take action against the culprits.

Earlier on Wednesday, Professor Dr Kaleem Ullah Barech, representing the Academic Staff Association, while addressing a press conference, said: "The association has raised its voice against varsity administration, including its financial and ethical corruption, for last several years."

The scandal came to light about a month ago after the Balochistan High Court (BHC) directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate the reports of students being harassed at the varsity.

Later, FIA discovered that both male and female students were being blackmailed by some staff members through some 'objectionable' videos, recorded through CCTV cameras hidden at various spots on the campus including washrooms.

Balochistan Governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, who is also the chancellor of all provincial universities, on Thursday vowed to take strict action against those involved in the case.

"Whosoever found involved in demoralising educational structure in Balochistan will be brought to justice because the UoB's scandal has triggered anger in society," the governor said.

Urging the student organisations and teacher associations to refrain from provoking the society until completion of the FIA probe, he said: "The hooligans who harassed and blackmailed students would be dealt with strictly and punished for maligning the mother educational institution of Balochistan."

Condemning the scandal, Balochistan National Party's (BNP) Lashkari Raisani asked the Vice-Chancellor to resign. He also noted that the scandal had shaken the students' trust in educational institutions.

Taking cognizance, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has placed the issue on the agenda of VC's meeting to be held on October 21.

"The meeting will discuss existing regulations that address such acts as well as additional measures that might be needed to make university campuses safe and secure places. The university heads will also discuss the funding issues of the higher learning institutions," HEC said in a press release.

Several student organisations under the banner of Students Educational Alliance on Thursday continued their protests for the fourth consecutive day over alleged harassment and blackmail of students by some officials of Balochistan University.

Several student organisations under the banner of Students Educational Alliance on Thursday continued their protests for the fourth consecutive day over alleged harassment and blackmail of students by some officials of Balochistan University. The demonstrators, who staged their protest outside the Quetta Press Club, alleged that the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Balochistan (UoB) was responsible for the entire scandal as VC was the 'head of blackmailers and saviour of the culprits', reported Express Tribune. The protesting students marched through the campus to put pressure on the officials to take action against the culprits. Earlier on Wednesday, Professor Dr Kaleem Ullah Barech, representing the Academic Staff Association, while addressing a press conference, said: "The association has raised its voice against varsity administration, including its financial and ethical corruption, for last several years." The scandal came to light about a month ago after the Balochistan High Court (BHC) directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate the reports of students being harassed at the varsity. Later, FIA discovered that both male and female students were being blackmailed by some staff members through some 'objectionable' videos, recorded through CCTV cameras hidden at various spots on the campus including washrooms. Balochistan Governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, who is also the chancellor of all provincial universities, on Thursday vowed to take strict action against those involved in the case. "Whosoever found involved in demoralising educational structure in Balochistan will be brought to justice because the UoB's scandal has triggered anger in society," the governor said. Urging the student organisations and teacher associations to refrain from provoking the society until completion of the FIA probe, he said: "The hooligans who harassed and blackmailed students would be dealt with strictly and punished for maligning the mother educational institution of Balochistan." Condemning the scandal, Balochistan National Party's (BNP) Lashkari Raisani asked the Vice-Chancellor to resign. He also noted that the scandal had shaken the students' trust in educational institutions. Taking cognizance, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has placed the issue on the agenda of VC's meeting to be held on October 21. "The meeting will discuss existing regulations that address such acts as well as additional measures that might be needed to make university campuses safe and secure places. The university heads will also discuss the funding issues of the higher learning institutions," HEC said in a press release.

Students of Balochistan University continue protests against campus harassment

Several student organisations under the banner of Students Educational Alliance on Thursday continued their protests for the fourth consecutive day over alleged harassment and blackmail of students by some officials of Balochistan University.

The demonstrators, who staged their protest outside the Quetta Press Club, alleged that the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Balochistan (UoB) was responsible for the entire scandal as VC was the `head of blackmailers and saviour of the culprits`, reported Express Tribune.

The protesting students marched through the campus to put pressure on the officials to take action against the culprits.

Earlier on Wednesday, Professor Dr Kaleem Ullah Barech, representing the Academic Staff Association, while addressing a press conference, said: "The association has raised its voice against varsity administration, including its financial and ethical corruption, for last several years."

The scandal came to light about a month ago after the Balochistan High Court (BHC) directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate the reports of students being harassed at the varsity.

Later, FIA discovered that both male and female students were being blackmailed by some staff members through some `objectionable` videos, recorded through CCTV cameras hidden at various spots on the campus including washrooms.

Balochistan Governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, who is also the chancellor of all provincial universities, on Thursday vowed to take strict action against those involved in the case."Whosoever found involved in demoralising educational structure in Balochistan will be brought to justice because the UoB`s scandal has triggered anger in society," the Governor said.

Urging the student organisations and teacher associations to refrain from provoking the society until completion of the FIA probe, he said: "The hooligans who harassed and blackmailed students would be dealt with strictly and punished for maligning the mother educational institution of Balochistan."

Condemning the scandal, Balochistan National Party's (BNP) Lashkari Raisani asked the Vice-Chancellor to resign. He also noted that the scandal had shaken the students` trust in educational institutions.

Taking cognizance, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has placed the issue on the agenda of VC`s meeting to be held on October 21.

"The meeting will discuss existing regulations that address such acts as well as additional measures that might be needed to make university campuses safe and secure places. The university heads will also discuss the funding issues of the higher learning institutions," HEC said in a press release.

Several student organisations under the banner of Students Educational Alliance on Thursday continued their protests for the fourth consecutive day over alleged harassment and blackmail of students by some officials of Balochistan University. The demonstrators, who staged their protest outside the Quetta Press Club, alleged that the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Balochistan (UoB) was responsible for the entire scandal as VC was the `head of blackmailers and saviour of the culprits`, reported Express Tribune. The protesting students marched through the campus to put pressure on the officials to take action against the culprits. Earlier on Wednesday, Professor Dr Kaleem Ullah Barech, representing the Academic Staff Association, while addressing a press conference, said: "The association has raised its voice against varsity administration, including its financial and ethical corruption, for last several years." The scandal came to light about a month ago after the Balochistan High Court (BHC) directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate the reports of students being harassed at the varsity. Later, FIA discovered that both male and female students were being blackmailed by some staff members through some `objectionable` videos, recorded through CCTV cameras hidden at various spots on the campus including washrooms. Balochistan Governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, who is also the chancellor of all provincial universities, on Thursday vowed to take strict action against those involved in the case."Whosoever found involved in demoralising educational structure in Balochistan will be brought to justice because the UoB`s scandal has triggered anger in society," the Governor said. Urging the student organisations and teacher associations to refrain from provoking the society until completion of the FIA probe, he said: "The hooligans who harassed and blackmailed students would be dealt with strictly and punished for maligning the mother educational institution of Balochistan." Condemning the scandal, Balochistan National Party's (BNP) Lashkari Raisani asked the Vice-Chancellor to resign. He also noted that the scandal had shaken the students` trust in educational institutions. Taking cognizance, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has placed the issue on the agenda of VC`s meeting to be held on October 21. "The meeting will discuss existing regulations that address such acts as well as additional measures that might be needed to make university campuses safe and secure places. The university heads will also discuss the funding issues of the higher learning institutions," HEC said in a press release.

Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPEC Authority) by Pakistan is another step in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/balochistan-women-protest-against-enforced-disappearances-in-quetta-253945">turning Balochistan into a Chinese military garrison</a>, leader of the Free Balochistan Movement Hyrbyair Marri said&nbsp;on Tuesday.

Adding that Pakistanis and Chinese have been calling it an economic project to hide its military and strategic aspects, the Baloch leader, in a statement, said, "because of Balochistan's socio-political conditions, CPEC is not an economically viable project which is well understood even by Pakistan's military and political elite."

"Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan indicated in August 2019 that a new authority 'National Coastal Development Authority' formation was also approved and now Pakistan's own parliamentarian parties are saying that formation of National Coastal Development Authority (NCDA) which will directly be controlled by Pakistani Punjabis (federal government) is in violation of Pakistan's constitution," he added.

"On one hand Pakistan shed crocodile tears on India's decision on Article 370 and on the other hand, it violates its own constitution," Marri also said. 
 
The Baloch leader further stated that NCDA and CPEC-Authority are attempts by Pakistan's military to directly control coastal areas of Balochistan where millions of Punjabi and Han Chinese people will be settled to secure their military bases and permanently colonise the areas by implementing demographic changes where secretly underground submarine bases and naval bases are being built.

"The Chinese Communist government can control the coastal strip of Balochistan by cutting it from other Baloch areas. For an economically viable plan, it is necessary to have perfect socio-economic conditions which cannot develop in Balochistan until it is under Sunni Punjabi occupation, whereas it is possible to have military bases in coastal areas by cutting off the coastal areas from rest of Balochistan," he added.

"In such a scenario, China could maintain bases in Balochistan's coastal areas, in the same manner, Russia has been maintaining Kaliningrad in the heart of eastern Europe," Marri continued.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/balochistan-continues-to-be-short-changed-politically-human-rights-commission-of-pakistan-253458">"Pakistan is turning Gwadar and other coastal areas of Balochistan into a Chinese Kaliningrad</a> which already has the largest concentration of military cantonments and bases in the region and new bases are being built in Jiwani, Sonmiani and other areas," he added.

Further, he said: "Some pro-independence Baloch and Indian journalists have claimed that CPEC has failed, are in an illusion and wrong because CPEC's success will be the end of Balochistan's independence movement and success of Balochistan's national struggle will end the CPEC."

"Some Baloch political parties are under the illusion that they have succeeded in failing the CPEC project. They have deluded themselves and some Indian columnists in believing that the project has failed," he added.

Adding that Chinese imperialist communist designs cannot be defeated that easily, Marri, in the statement further said, "If CPEC succeeds, the Baloch nation will be converted into a minority in our own homeland. CPEC's success will be the end of Balochistan's independence movement and success of Balochistan's national struggle will end the CPEC."

"Chinese and Pakistani nexus in the region and their belligerence towards their neighbours are known to everyone. Once CPEC's military objectives are achieved that is the construction of bases in Jiwani, Ormara and underground submarine base in Sonmiani, which will help China and Pakistan to encircle India by sea," he added.

Marri also warned that geopolitically Baloch will be the first causality of the CPEC and then it will be India and the western countries.

Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPEC Authority) by Pakistan is another step in turning Balochistan into a Chinese military garrison, leader of the Free Balochistan Movement Hyrbyair Marri said on Tuesday.

Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPEC Authority) by Pakistan is another step in turning Balochistan into a Chinese military garrison, leader of the Free Balochistan Movement Hyrbyair Marri said on Tuesday. Adding that Pakistanis and Chinese have been calling it an economic project to hide its military and strategic aspects, the Baloch leader, in a statement, said, "because of Balochistan's socio-political conditions, CPEC is not an economically viable project which is well understood even by Pakistan's military and political elite." "Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan indicated in August 2019 that a new authority 'National Coastal Development Authority' formation was also approved and now Pakistan's own parliamentarian parties are saying that formation of National Coastal Development Authority (NCDA) which will directly be controlled by Pakistani Punjabis (federal government) is in violation of Pakistan's constitution," he added. "On one hand Pakistan shed crocodile tears on India's decision on Article 370 and on the other hand, it violates its own constitution," Marri also said. The Baloch leader further stated that NCDA and CPEC-Authority are attempts by Pakistan's military to directly control coastal areas of Balochistan where millions of Punjabi and Han Chinese people will be settled to secure their military bases and permanently colonise the areas by implementing demographic changes where secretly underground submarine bases and naval bases are being built. "The Chinese Communist government can control the coastal strip of Balochistan by cutting it from other Baloch areas. For an economically viable plan, it is necessary to have perfect socio-economic conditions which cannot develop in Balochistan until it is under Sunni Punjabi occupation, whereas it is possible to have military bases in coastal areas by cutting off the coastal areas from rest of Balochistan," he added. "In such a scenario, China could maintain bases in Balochistan's coastal areas, in the same manner, Russia has been maintaining Kaliningrad in the heart of eastern Europe," Marri continued. "Pakistan is turning Gwadar and other coastal areas of Balochistan into a Chinese Kaliningrad which already has the largest concentration of military cantonments and bases in the region and new bases are being built in Jiwani, Sonmiani and other areas," he added. Further, he said: "Some pro-independence Baloch and Indian journalists have claimed that CPEC has failed, are in an illusion and wrong because CPEC's success will be the end of Balochistan's independence movement and success of Balochistan's national struggle will end the CPEC." "Some Baloch political parties are under the illusion that they have succeeded in failing the CPEC project. They have deluded themselves and some Indian columnists in believing that the project has failed," he added. Adding that Chinese imperialist communist designs cannot be defeated that easily, Marri, in the statement further said, "If CPEC succeeds, the Baloch nation will be converted into a minority in our own homeland. CPEC's success will be the end of Balochistan's independence movement and success of Balochistan's national struggle will end the CPEC." "Chinese and Pakistani nexus in the region and their belligerence towards their neighbours are known to everyone. Once CPEC's military objectives are achieved that is the construction of bases in Jiwani, Ormara and underground submarine base in Sonmiani, which will help China and Pakistan to encircle India by sea," he added. Marri also warned that geopolitically Baloch will be the first causality of the CPEC and then it will be India and the western countries.

Pakistan created Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority to turn Balochistan into Chinese garrison, says Free Balochistan Movement's President

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - October 8th, 2019

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - October 7th, 2019

Baloch women in Quetta city organized a protest against enforced disappearances in the south-western province of Balochistan.

The protesters led by Mama Qadir Baloch of 'Voice for Baloch Missing Persons' blamed Pakistan's secret agencies for abducting Rashid Hussain, a Baloch political activist, and a student.

Rashid was arrested by the 'United Arab Emirates' secret police from Sharjah in November 2018 and handed over to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-taliban-talks-afghanistan-slams-islamabad-india-says-closely-monitoring-development-253844">Pakistan</a>'s law enforcement agencies in June this year. 
 
He has since been kept in an undisclosed location that has further added to the miseries of his family regarding Rashid's safety and well being.

Rashid's sister, Farida Baloch, said that it has been over three months since Pakistani authorities claimed that Rashid was deported to the country but he has not been presented to any court of law nor has he been provided with a legal representative.

Watch Video: Enforced disappearances continue in Balochistan

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/your-story-enforced-disappearances-continue-in-balochistan-253800/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"We were thinking that he will be produced in court after a few days in remand. But, authorities have not produced him anywhere. We have no information about his whereabouts. In our opinion, a person cannot disappear like this. If you have charges against him, he should be produced in court," Farida said.

She added, "This is against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-rights-chief-says-troubled-by-hong-kong-violence-253918">UN human rights</a> convention and he should be given a free and fair trial."

Thousands of abducted Balochs have been kept under illegal detention and are not being released, the women alleged while staging demonstrations.

Protestors stated that the disappeared people still continue to languish in illegal torture cells of Pakistan military and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Enforced disappearances still take place in Balochistan with full immunity and the Pakistani state institutions have repeatedly failed to act against such inhuman crimes of state agencies.

Baloch women in Quetta city organized a protest against enforced disappearances in the south-western province of Balochistan. The protesters led by Mama Qadir Baloch of 'Voice for Baloch Missing Persons' blamed Pakistan's secret agencies for abducting Rashid Hussain, a Baloch political activist, and a student.

Baloch women in Quetta city organized a protest against enforced disappearances in the south-western province of Balochistan. The protesters led by Mama Qadir Baloch of 'Voice for Baloch Missing Persons' blamed Pakistan's secret agencies for abducting Rashid Hussain, a Baloch political activist, and a student. Rashid was arrested by the 'United Arab Emirates' secret police from Sharjah in November 2018 and handed over to Pakistan's law enforcement agencies in June this year. He has since been kept in an undisclosed location that has further added to the miseries of his family regarding Rashid's safety and well being. Rashid's sister, Farida Baloch, said that it has been over three months since Pakistani authorities claimed that Rashid was deported to the country but he has not been presented to any court of law nor has he been provided with a legal representative. Watch Video: Enforced disappearances continue in Balochistan × "We were thinking that he will be produced in court after a few days in remand. But, authorities have not produced him anywhere. We have no information about his whereabouts. In our opinion, a person cannot disappear like this. If you have charges against him, he should be produced in court," Farida said. She added, "This is against the UN human rights convention and he should be given a free and fair trial." Thousands of abducted Balochs have been kept under illegal detention and are not being released, the women alleged while staging demonstrations. Protestors stated that the disappeared people still continue to languish in illegal torture cells of Pakistan military and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Enforced disappearances still take place in Balochistan with full immunity and the Pakistani state institutions have repeatedly failed to act against such inhuman crimes of state agencies.

Balochistan: Women protest against enforced disappearances in Quetta

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - October 4th, 2019

balochistan

Balochistan, News on Balochistan, stories on Balochistan, articles on Balochistan, Balochistan stories at Wion, Balochistan news, Balochistan latest news