The central spokesperson of the Baloch Students Organization (BSO) Pajjar has strongly condemned the firing and vandalism at the girls’ college in Noshki, in which three female students were injured, saying that educational institutions are a symbol of knowledge, awareness, peace and a bright future. Making these institutions targets of violence and fear is not only a condemnable crime but an attack on the educational, social and intellectual future of Baloch society. Targeting female students is an extremely serious, inhuman and unacceptable act that can have no place in any civilised society.
The central spokesperson said that in Baloch society, women’s education is not merely an educational need but a basic condition for social progress, intellectual freedom, national consciousness and a bright future. Those who want to frighten female students away from educational institutions with guns, threats and violence are in fact trying to block the path to an aware, educated and progressive society. However, it must remain clear that the pursuit of knowledge cannot be ended through fear and coercion.
The spokesperson added that in the past too there have been incidents such as acid attacks on Baloch female students, threats against women’s education and pressure to close English-language centres. These incidents have repeatedly raised the concern that different tactics have been used at different times to restrict women’s education and autonomy. Today’s attack on the Noshki girls’ college also raises serious questions, in this wider context, about how far state institutions have succeeded in securing the educational future, safety and fundamental rights of female students.
The BSO Pajjar central spokesperson said that if educational institutions are not safe, if female students are forced to study in an atmosphere of fear and parents are uncertain about their daughters’ safety, this is not merely a law-and-order issue but a fundamental question about the government’s responsibilities, the state’s priorities and the system for protecting education. Instead of limiting themselves to routine statements of condemnation, the government and the relevant institutions must take effective, transparent and accountable measures to prevent such incidents.
The central spokesperson demanded an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation into the attack on the Noshki girls’ college; that those involved be identified and punished according to the law; that the injured students be given the best medical care; and that concrete steps be taken to protect the college and all educational institutions in Balochistan, especially those for female students. The government must also ensure that the victims and witnesses of this incident are protected and that the investigation is not influenced by any kind of pressure.
Concluding the statement, the spokesperson made clear that BSO Pajjar will make no compromise on female students’ right to education, women’s freedom, intellectual autonomy and the building of a knowledge-loving society. Every attempt to block the path of books, pens and awareness with guns and fear will be strongly resisted. The daughters of Balochistan deserve education, dignity and a safe future, and protecting their right to education is the shared responsibility of the government, state institutions and the whole of society.
