The Republic of Balochistan alleges mass arrests of 5,000 families by the Pakistani Army, urges UN intervention
The Republic of Balochistan has accused the Pakistani Army of forcibly arresting approximately 50,000 civilians belonging to 5,000 Baloch families in Qalat, Shor Parod and adjoining areas, alleging that the action is accompanied by efforts to evict residents from their ancestral homes.
In a statement issued under the name of the Republic of Balochistan, Mir Yar Baloch described the alleged arrests and displacement as “state terrorism” and called on Pakistan to withdraw its military forces from Balochistan.
The statement alleged that Baloch men, women, children and elderly residents face forced displacement, restrictions on freedom of movement and the possible destruction of their livelihoods. It also claimed that authorities intend to relocate affected civilians to large military cantonments in Qalat, Shor Parod, Khuzdar and surrounding areas.
Winter conditions raise humanitarian concerns
Highlighting the approaching winter, the statement warned that forced evictions in the region could expose vulnerable residents to freezing temperatures, inadequate shelter and shortages of food. It noted that temperatures in parts of Qalat and Shor Parod can fall below zero degrees Celsius.
The Republic of Balochistan urged the United Nations, international human rights organisations and the wider international community to intervene and take measures to protect the affected families.
The statement characterised the alleged actions as violations of fundamental human rights, human dignity and international law. It further accused Pakistan of attempting to restrict the Baloch population’s access to ancestral lands and cited previous resistance to fencing measures around Gwadar as an example of opposition to such restrictions.
Calls for international intervention
The statement asserted that Pakistan’s military presence was obstructing peace, security, stability and development in Balochistan. It warned that continued military operations and alleged forced displacement could trigger wider political, diplomatic and public mobilisation across the region.
It also drew a comparison with the 1971 atrocities against Bengalis in what was then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, alleging that Balochistan was facing a comparable pattern of violence. The statement said the Baloch people remained determined to defend their homeland.
The Republic of Balochistan called on Pakistan to withdraw its forces and urged international bodies to take immediate steps to safeguard civilians.
