Opinion | Voices of Resistance in Baluchistan

Baluchistan has always been one of the politically sensitive regions of Pakistan characterized by conflicts and controversies. Despite being bestowed with various natural resources, the region suffers from underdevelopment and poverty. Over the decades, Baluchistan has been a center of tensions between the Pakistani state and different Baloch nationalist movements. However, in recent years, a new chapter of this story emerged, and that is the appearance of a peaceful resistance movement aimed at obtaining justice, accountability, political inclusion, and an end to enforced disappearances. Among those standing on the frontline of this movement, there are Baloch women who have become some of the most important voices of resistance.

“Voices of Resistance in Baluchistan” is a reference to this wider human rights movement attracting attention of the national and international community. In order to attract attention to political marginalization and repression, activists organize long marches, sit-ins, protests, use social networks, and conduct various advocacy initiatives. One of the main issues of these initiatives is related to the problem of enforced disappearance that has negatively affected thousands of Baloch families.

The problem of enforced disappearance is one of the most painful and controversial issues in Baluchistan. Security forces are accused of arresting and abducting students, political activists, intellectuals, and civilians without judicial procedure and acknowledgement. It is noted by many families that they have been looking for their relatives for years without getting any information concerning their location or condition. Activists and human rights organizations indicate that almost 7,000 people have disappeared in Baluchistan since 2004. Enforced disappearance is considered to be an international crime by international human rights organizations and United Nations experts as it breaches essential freedoms and rights of individuals.

It becomes clear that the social and emotional impact of such disappearances on society is devastating. People are living in a constant state of despair, being unable to mourn and move on with their lives. Mothers are still waiting for sons who did not come back home; children grow up without fathers. Such an atmosphere of suffering and loss becomes one of the main motives for the contemporary resistance movement.

However, despite the generally peaceful nature of the protests, reports from various human rights organizations show that the state’s response can be rather alarming. Arbitrary arrests, internet shutdowns, travel restrictions, and excessive use of force against the protesters have been recorded. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have urged Pakistan to respect the people’s right to protest peacefully and to exercise freedom of expression in Baluchistan. It is argued that suppression of any form of opposition through intimidation serves no purpose other than to deepen resentment and undermine democracy.

One of the most interesting aspects of the protests of recent years has been the emergence of Baloch women as leaders of the resistance. Baloch society has always been quite conservative and patriarchal; therefore, women were not usually involved in political activities. However, the problem of forced disappearances and violence made many women step into the political sphere. Mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives of disappeared persons took the lead of the protests, openly addressing the issue of injustice.

These women have organized rallies, addressed press conferences, and participated in long protest marches across Pakistan. One of the most significant marches traveled from Panjgur to Quetta and eventually to Islamabad, drawing national attention to the plight of missing persons. The courage displayed by these women challenged both state repression and traditional social expectations. By stepping into public activism, they redefined the role of women within Baloch political movements and broader society.

Organizations like Baloch Yakjehti Committee have been actively involved in mobilizing protests and drawing attention to human rights abuses. These entities demand accountability, legal reforms, and the safe return of the disappeared individuals. In addition, they document the cases of disappearances, offer assistance to the affected families, and bring the voices of Baloch people to the world stage through various means of communication.

International attention paid to Baluchistan has grown dramatically. For example, in April 2025, UN human rights experts expressed concern about Pakistan’s policies in relation to counter-terrorism, stating that they might encourage grave human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearances. In order to address these issues, the experts asked for accountability, legal reforms, and compliance with international human rights standards.

Nonetheless, the issue still presents itself as quite complicated. In particular, Pakistan has always maintained that Baluchistan is under constant threat from militant activities and extremism. It is believed that counter-terrorism measures are imperative for maintaining stability and security in the country. Nevertheless, many have stated that these factors cannot become a reason for human rights abuse or collective punishment of citizens. The truth is that sustainable peace can only come through political talks and dialogue.

Finally, it should be noted that “the Voices of Resistance in Baluchistan” are not simply a regional protest movement. These voices reveal a much larger story of a struggle for dignity, justice, and equality in a society that has been plagued by war and conflict for years. The emergence of peaceful resistance, especially among women, has led to the discussion of long-suppressed issues. Whether it is protests, open discussions, or silent marches with photos of the disappeared, the voices of resistance keep challenging the fear.

The writer can be contacted at sarmadhilal07@gmail.com