On January 26, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a human rights organization led by Baloch women, organized a large rally in Dalbandin, Balochistan, despite an internet shutdown and a state crackdown. 

Zohak Baloch, a 29-year-old Baloch protester from Khuzdar, Balochistan, told The Diplomat, “While the state tries to suppress our voices, we continue to protest for our rights. Our people, especially our women, are resilient. No one can stop us from standing up for our rights because our protests are peaceful, and we are determined.”

The BYC has provided new leadership from the Baloch middle class. While the tribal chiefs formerly enjoyed greater influence and power in the province, their privilege has been eroded. The new Baloch leaders are young, educated, dedicated, and articulate. They are well-versed in the language and concepts of resistance and mobilization, effectively communicating their message not only within Balochistan but also to the rest of the world. 

However, the state’s response to these protests has only grown harsher.

Just days before the Dalbandin rally, Sindh police launched a crackdown on women protesting under the BYC banner in Karachi, inviting condemnation from human rights activists across the country.

An Oppressed and Impoverished People 

The Baloch people in Pakistan have faced oppression for decades. The dynamics of Balochistan are complex, which is why their situation has not improved but has worsened over time.

Balochistan is home to about 15 million of Pakistan’s estimated 240 million people, according to the 2023 census. Despite being rich in natural resources – such as oil, coal, gold, copper, and gas – the province is the poorest in the country. These resources generate substantial revenue for the federal government, yet the local population remains impoverished.

Although the state has been held responsible for many of the challenges faced by the Baloch people, there are also factors within Baloch society that have contributed to their difficult situation. The society is predominantly feudalistic, and although a new and young Baloch leadership has emerged, the nawabs (tribal chiefs) are believed to be still playing a significant role in the province’s inequality. 

Many nawabs have been found to be corrupt and brutal. Some even operate death squads, maintain private prisons, and act with brutal impunity. Recently, a Baloch girl named Asma Baloch was

© The Diplomat