{"id":9980,"date":"2025-08-06T10:22:30","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T10:22:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/?p=9980"},"modified":"2025-08-06T10:22:30","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T10:22:30","slug":"political-dialogue-human-rights-in-balochistan-to-restore-trust-resolve-conflict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/political-dialogue-human-rights-in-balochistan-to-restore-trust-resolve-conflict\/","title":{"rendered":"Political dialogue, human rights in Balochistan to restore trust, resolve conflict"},"content":{"rendered":"

Press release<\/p>\n

Political dialogue, human rights in Balochistan to restore trust, resolve conflict<\/strong><\/p>\n

Islamabad, 6 August 2025<\/em>. Following a fact-finding mission to Balochistan, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed grave concern over the human rights crisis confronting the province. The mission\u2019s findings reveal a disturbing pattern of continued enforced disappearances, shrinking civic space, erosion of provincial autonomy and unchecked impunity\u2014conditions that continue to fuel public alienation and political instability.<\/p>\n

The mission has observed that, while state representatives now acknowledge the existence of enforced disappearances, they do so within a security narrative that treats the practice as a byproduct of insurgency. This framing risks normalizing what international human rights law considers a crime against humanity. The report also calls for independent investigations into alleged reprisals against those who speak up against enforced disappearances.<\/p>\n

The mission notes that while militant attacks targeting ordinary citizens, including non-Baloch settlers, are indefensible and must be prosecuted, the passage of the Anti-Terrorism (Balochistan Amendment) Act 2025 is deeply problematic. The law permits 90-day detentions without meaningful judicial oversight, raising concerns about the potential for torture and abuse. The mission urges the government to withdraw the Act and instead ensure that all counterterrorism efforts comply with Pakistan\u2019s human rights obligations.<\/p>\n

According to the report, electoral manipulation and the political sidelining of nationalist parties have severely undermined public trust in democratic processes. The mission recommends that the state ensure transparency, fairness and accountability in all electoral processes by investigating credible allegations of rigging and depoliticizing administrative structures to avoid further political disaffection.<\/p>\n

The mission has called for the demilitarization of civilian law enforcement and for a unified civilian police force with adequate resources and training in community-based, rights-compliant policing to replace the current overreliance on paramilitary and military forces.<\/p>\n

The report also underscores the de-legitimization of civil society movements such as the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, observing that equating human rights advocacy with militancy only deepens alienation, especially among the youth. The state must publicly affirm the role of human rights defenders and guarantee their protection.<\/p>\n

The mission urges the government to reinstate constitutional protections under the 18th Amendment and respect provincial autonomy in natural resource management. Controversial projects such as Saindak and recent amendments to the Balochistan Mines and Mineral Act must be revisited to ensure local consultation and equitable benefit-sharing.<\/p>\n

Unless the state urgently initiates a transparent, inclusive and rights-based political solution, political and security conditions in Balochistan will continue to deteriorate. Importantly, the mission notes that the risk of ethnic reprisals beyond the province is real and growing, threatening national cohesion, and accordingly calls for principled leadership rather than further securitization.<\/p>\n

Asad Iqbal Butt
\nChairperson<\/p>\n

The report can be accessed here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>