Press release – Demonstration against genocide of Baluch people by Pakistani army

A huge demonstration was organised on 22 Jan 2006 by Balochistan Action Committee, Baluchistan Rights Movement, World Sindhi Congress and Sindhi Baluch Forum in front of 10 Downing Street, the residence of British Prime Minster Tony Blair. The protest rally was held to condemn the ongoing genocide of Baluch people under the hands of Pakistani army. Hundreds of Sindhis and Baluchs from all over the UK and Europe came to show their solidarity with the struggle of Baluch people. The participants raised slogans against Pakistani military and General Musharaf and in support of the righteous struggle of Baluch and Sindhi people. The participants were holding banners with pictures of children and women killed by the bombardment of Pakistani army. The rally was addressed by many speakers who unanimously and unambiguously condemned the barbaric acts of Pakistani military. Mr. Mehran Baluch younger son of Nawab Khair bux Marri said that Punjabi military’s campaign of indiscriminate bombing civilian Baluch population is continuing since last six weeks. He reiterated that these killings and sufferings can not stop Baluch people to gain their right of self rule over their motherland. Baluchs can not accept slavery under any pretext. Mr. Abdullah of Balochistan Action Committee said that Pakistani government propagates that the current struggle of Baluch people is run by only few sardars who have kept the whole Baluch nation a hostage the reality is that these sardars are the true sons of their motherland who want to bring dignity and peace to their nation. Entire Baluch nation salutes the courage and sacrifices of these sardars. The sardars that really want to sell and hold Baluch nation a hostage are those who are the touts and agents of Pakistan’s military establishment. Dr. Lakhu Luhana of World Sindhi Congress said that the entire Sindhi nation condemns the barbaric acts of Pakistani army. He reiterated that the struggle of Baluch people is the struggle of Sindhis as well. He said Saeen Khair Bux Marri and Saeen Attaullah are not only Baluch leaders they are Sindhi leaders too. The acts of Pakistan’s Military establishment is bringing the two natural allies, Baluchs and Sindhis, together and a joint struggle is in the offing to bring an end once and for all to the injustices to Baluch and Sindhi nations. Dr. Naseer Dashti in his speech mentioned the history of the suffering of Baluch people since the accession of Baloch in 1948. he said that the history of 1971 in Bengal and genocide of ethnic nationalities in during Yugoslav crisis in 90s is being repeated in Baluchistan. He mentioned that it is imperative for international community should to stand up against these criminal acts. He demanded that an international peace keeping force should be stationed in Balochistan in order to stop the genocide of Baloch nation. Mr. Qadir Bux Jatoi in his speech said that Sindhis are with our Baloch brothers in their righteous struggle. If the Pakistani military has not learnt the lessons from their defeat in Bangladesh and still want to carry on with their criminal acts then this war will be waged against the Punjabi military by all Baluchs, Sindhis, Siraikis and Pathans in every part on every inch of Pakistan to defeat this evil. Others who spoke on the occasion included poet and writer Hasan Hamdam, Khalid Langho, Habib jan and others.

At the end of the rally a petition was submitted to 10 Prime Minster Tony Blair by Mr. Mehran Baluch, Mr. Abdullah Baloch, Dr. Rubina Shaikh and Dr. Lakhu Luhana. The petition requested for the UK governmental intervention to stop the genocide of the Baluch people and also requested not to provide any support and sale any arms to Pakistan’s military government as these arms will be used against Baluch people.