Mahrang baloch: Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan, has become the center of struggles these days. Here separatist forces are getting stronger and extremist groups like BLA are directly challenging the government. Mehrang Baloch, a prominent advocate of human rights and Baloch aspirations, has been detained in custody, which has further increased tension amidst tension with the Government of Baloch people.
The Baloch movement is a matter of concern for Pakistan. He is afraid that this will increase separatist feelings and will challenge his rights in the region. Mehrang has been given a place by Time magazine as one of the 100 next emerging leaders. The arrest of him and about 150 activists is being criticized internationally.
Mahrang Baloch is the prominent name among the vocal people against Pakistan
Mehrang Baloch led the demonstration of illegal arrest of relatives of those who have forcibly disappeared and protested against illegal police remand. Maharang and others have been made many serious allegations including terrorism. Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader and Dr. Meharang Baloch has been vocal about forcibly disappearance in Balochistan and alleged judicial killings.
Condemning his arrest, his sister Iqra Baloch wrote on social media that his journey in Hooda Jail reminds him of 18 years ago when he saw his father behind bars. He wrote, “Mehrang was with us at that time, he is not”.
Mehrang’s father was murdered
According to media reports, his father Abdul Ghaffar Langov was a nationalist leader. He was forcibly disappeared in 2009 and his body was found in Lasbela district after three years. Since then, he decided to forcibly disappear and fight against just killings. Mehrang has continued his fight, although he has faced challenges like death threats, travel restrictions, custody. In December 2023, he helped organize a big March in Islamabad, demanding action against forcible disappearance, which was strongly opposed by the police.
Huge storage of copper, gold, coal and natural gas in Balochistan
About 44% of Pakistan’s land area is from Balochistan. It also shares the international border with Afghanistan and Iran. There is only 5% arable land in this province. It is known for extremely dry desert climate but is considered rich in natural resources. Despite this, he is left behind in the race of development. This province has huge stores of copper, gold, coal and natural gas, which is an important part of Pakistan’s mineral wealth.
Due to the geopolitical importance of Balochistan, a large part of China’s ambitious project China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is in this province. CPEC Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ‘Belt and Road’ is part of the initiative and the port of Gwadar is considered very important for this project.
The people of Balochistan have been alleging that the provincial and central governments have been earning huge profits by exploiting the natural resources here, but development has been completely ignored in the area. Baloch nationalists in the province revolted for independence in 1948–50, 1958–60, 1962–63 and 1973–1977.
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