Pakistan Democratic Movement is able to successfully bring around half a million people in provincial capital
Several leaders gave fervent speeches on the rights of Baloch citizens in Pakistan while demanding equal rights and ending disappearances
Did PDM demand independence of Baluchistan during Quetta gathering? The leaders of 11 parties Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) were giving emotional speeches during the gathering. The gathering did attract a large number of people who were chanting slogans in favor of movement’s demands.
During the gathering, several political and security concerns were put in front of the crowd. These include mainly two aspects. The first one is ending forced disappearance, a long demanded right of Baloch people. On the other hand, the leaders of the movement are demanding impartial role of security agencies in the elections.
This is the first time that major political parties are coming upfront against Pakistani military. Pakistan Army holds complete control of Baluchistan owing to increasing Indian involvement in the largest province of the country.
ALSO READ: Government Officials Demand Ouster Of PTI With ‘Go Niazi Go’ Slogan
Human Rights Abuse in Baluchistan
The issue of abuse of human rights is a long standing issue for people of Baluchistan. They have been asking for ending disappearance of their youth for a long time. The same is a major demand of national and international organizations globally. However, it is the first time that a strong political force is also demanding an end to such disappearances of locals.
PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif categorically took up the matter during her speech. She is asking for an end to disappearances and raises her voice emotionally. She asks the security agencies to be afraid of Almighty’s anger during her speech.
The social accounts of United Nation’s Human Rights organization in South Asia also took up the matter. It states: Pakistani security forces and law enforcement agencies continuously commit enforced disappearances with impunity, targeting journalists, activists, Army and government critics especially in #Balochistan. We have highly concerns on this issue.
Demanding Independence of Baluchistan
The most concerning part of this gathering was its demand for an independent Baluchistan. The Secretary General of Jamiat e Ulema Pakistan Mr. Shah Owais Norrani had put a demand asking for freedom of Baluchistan. He says that we want a free Baluchistan.
However, if one hears the complete speech of Mr. Noorani, one can find that he didn’t mean to demand independence. It was just an err where he wants to speak of independence from clutches of establishment. Clearly, it was a slip of tongue. The leader has also given a clarification on media later.
Follow us on Twitter: @Factfilepk and Facebook: factfilepk for more stories.
