Dr Lakhu Luhana of the World Sindhi Congress has said Balochistan’s troubles have continued for nearly “80 years” and rejected the idea that Balochistan merely stands at a political “crossroads”. Addressing the 12th session of the Balochistan International Conference organised by the Baloch National Movement, he said Balochistan is instead “on the road to freedom and liberation.”
The Sindhi national leader and former senior official of the World Sindhi Congress said that on 27 March 1948 a dark night of slavery, colonialism, oppression and repression descended on Balochistan, which has not ended to this day. Only one thing has happened: it is getting darker, darker and darker.
Dr Lakhu Luhana said that besides the killings and enforced disappearances, many people have died of poverty and malnutrition over the past eight decades. He described Balochistan as a region rich in gold, copper, coal, gas, oil and other minerals.
He said the first large gas reserve in the territories occupied by Pakistan was discovered in Sui, which is why it is called Sui gas, in the Pakistani state’s words “Pakistan’s largest gas reserve”. According to his claim, more than 90 per cent of it has been depleted, while women in Balochistan still walk barefoot for miles to get water.
“Today the poverty rate in Balochistan is among the highest in Pakistan-administered territory. Malnutrition is also among the highest in Pakistan-administered territory. Maternal and infant mortality rates are also the highest. The occupying state of Pakistan has kept the people of Balochistan in truly medieval, inhuman conditions.”
He asked whether anyone with even a little conscience could let this situation continue, and referred to the UN human rights charter and the international community.
“How many more bodies from Balochistan must bleed before they can no longer deny that atrocities are happening and that they must stop all this?”
According to him, Sindh too stands at a similarly important turning point. Activists have taken on “a very great responsibility”: to see their nation free and their motherland free.
He added that the world “has become a very difficult place”, and subjugated nations must stay connected with one another.
He ended his talk by challenging the conference theme, saying: this title, “Balochistan at a Crossroads”, I would like permission to disagree with it. Balochistan is not at any crossroads. Balochistan is on the road to freedom and liberation. Sindh and Balochistan should travel this journey together.
