Baloch Human Rights Group Condemns Forced Evictions in Kalat, Pakistan
The Balochistan Human Rights Organization condemns forced evictions in Kalat, accusing Pakistan of state repression and collective punishment.
Kalat, September 23 (Daily Kiran) : In Kalat, Balochistan, Pakistani authorities have ordered residents to vacate their homes, sparking outrage from the Baloch National Movement (BNM). The organization has condemned the directive as part of a broader policy of state repression, collective punishment, and genocide against the Baloch people.
On September 20, the assistant commissioner of Kalat issued an order instructing the local population to leave the areas of Shor Parod, Khaleeli, Khalkhti, and Shoki by September 28. The BNM criticized this move, stating, “Forcing the entire population from their ancestral lands, homes, and livelihoods is not just an administrative action; it is a direct assault on their lives, identity, and existence.”
The organization emphasized that this directive is not merely a relocation measure but an attempt to impose collective punishment and instill fear within the local community. They stated, “Holding an entire population accountable for the actions of a few is collective punishment. When this practice leads to the systematic displacement of a population with a distinct national identity, it becomes part of a genocidal process.”
The BNM further argued that displacing people from their homes, where their lives and generations are intertwined, is not just about homelessness; it is about subjecting them to a slow death. They condemned the use of collective punishment based on national identity, asserting that such actions are unacceptable.
Citing other instances of forced displacement across Balochistan, the BNM claimed these actions are part of a broader pattern of repression by Pakistani authorities, which has deprived ordinary people of their homes, land, livelihoods, and normal lives.
The organization has categorically rejected the eviction order and demanded its immediate withdrawal. They called for the local population to be granted security and the right to live freely, with dignity and safety, in their ancestral areas.
