Quetta: BNF has protested against the forced abduction of BSO (azaad) senior vice chairman Mr Zakir Majeed Baloch in all over Balochistan, including Quetta, Mand, turbat, Hub, Khuzdar, Mashkary, Awaran, Panjgur and Noshki, BSO (azaad) has given the call for protest against the abduction of Zakir Majeed Baloch and thousands of others. Large number of women and children also participated in the protest rallies. Protesters demanded of the Balochistan government to surface the entire missing person from Balochistan. Angry protesters chanted slogans against the Pakistani government and the intelligence agencies. Government buildings, vehicles and banks have been torched in some areas in Balochistan. All Baloch populated areas in Balochistan and Karachi remained closed during the protest. Most of the shop-owners and transport owner have co-operated voluntarily and closed their businesses and kept their vehicles off the road.

Speaking at the occasion the leader of BSO (azaad), Baloch Women Panel, BRP, BNM and Baloch Watan Movement said that the forced abduction of Zakir Majeed Baloch is not new to the Baloch nation and neither does it come as a surprise to anyone, as thousands of Baloch youth are already missing. The Baloch missing people are suffering the worst form of torture at the hands of Pakistani agencies and military Intelligence – both mentally and physically. Families of missing persons from Balochistan do not ask the government for their release but Baloch nations demand is that Baloch political prisoners are the PRISONERS OF CONCIOUS and should be treated as prisoners of war according to Geneva conventions.

“My brother’s only fault is that he was politically active and demanding for national liberation of Balochistan. Our father Shaheed Majeed Baloch had also sacrificed his life for the sake of Balochistan. My brother has chosen to follow the same path as our father. Certainly my brother is not the first or the last man who have fallen victims of Pakistani intelligence agencies. Already thousands of Baloch are missing and many have even been killed by the Pakistani Military.” said Zakir Majeed’s sister while addressing the gathering.

The speakers said that Baloch struggle for national liberation is at a very important juncture and it’s unstoppable. Pakistani agencies cannot weaken the Baloch freedom struggle by forced-disappearances, extra judicial killings and military operations; infect such pressure tactic of Pakistani military further infuriated the Baloch nation. Every Baloch elderly, children, and women hates Pakistan. The gross human rights violations, indiscriminate arrests and killings of Baloch people by Pakistani army have only make our determination bold and every Baloch has come to the conclusion that only solution of Balochistan issue is INDEPENDENT BALOCHISTAN.

The leaders of Baloch organisations said that Baloch are at a defensive war against Pakistan from last sixty years but sadly the international community have completely ignored the Baluch conflict. Pakistan has occupied the independent and sovereign state of Balochistan, killed, and disappeared thousands of Baloch people but the International community UN, US, UK EU have just played the role of a silent spectator.

Zakir Majeed Baloch is also one of the members of Baloch Watan Dost committee which was constituted by Sardarzada Hyrbiar Marri to secure the safe release of UNHCR head in Balochistan Mr Jhon Solecki and missing Baloch people. It is worth reminding that another member of Baloch Watan Dost committee Shaheed Ghulam Mohammad Baloch was abducted by Pakistani intelligence agencies from Turbat Town along with his two companions in broad-day-light and they were later killed in custody. Zakir Majeed Baloch has twice been detained in past and release after sever torture, similarly Shaheed Ghulam Baloch and Sher Mohammed Baloch had been detained and had been tortured before their cold-blooded murder on 8th April 2009. Mr Zakir Majeed Baloch’s family members expressed fear that Zakir Majeed Baloch might suffer the same fate as Ghulam Mohammad Baloch and his friends. That why is we appeal to the International Human Rights Organisations and the UN to take notice of Mr Zakir Majeed’s arrest and pressurise Pakistan’s government for his safe release.