In his recent remarks, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa strongly criticized the government and military of Pakistan, saying that Pakistani generals treat the blood of Pashtuns and Baloch as if it were water and have shed it recklessly.
Sohail Afridi, referring to the ongoing situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, said that the blood of both communities has been shed without restraint by Pakistan, and this continues.
Afridi added: “God willing, the Tehreek-e-Insaf Pakistan will move forward as an opposition to the government and will achieve results. You spoke about Baloch and Pashtun issues—the blood of Baloch and Pashtun has always been considered cheap, and therefore it has been shed without restraint. If that were not the case, their blood would not have been shed so cheaply. Unfortunately, no one has raised their voice about this before.”
Analysts say that for nearly eight decades, Pakistan has continued oppression against Pashtuns and Baloch across the so-called Durand Line, depriving both groups of their fundamental rights and leaving them marginalized.
They claim that over the past 78 years, Pakistan and its military have either killed or imprisoned Pashtun and Baloch leaders, activists, and justice seekers—often leaving their fate unknown.
Political analyst Najibullah Jami said: “Over the past 78 years, the Pakistani state has committed extensive injustices against Pashtuns and Baloch, stripping them of their rights and attempting to suppress them. Pakistan has even carried out many terrorist actions against the existence of these communities. Its actions in this regard are widely condemned and are full of human rights violations. I call on the international community to hear and support the voices of Pashtuns and Baloch.”
Other analysts believe that Pakistan not only targets and kills Pashtuns and Baloch but also labels them as terrorists, using this as a pretext to suppress them and justify projects obtained from others under this label to limit their development.
University professor Faiz Mohammad Zaland said: “In Pakistan, all minorities—whether Pashtuns or Baloch—are labeled as terrorists by the military and intelligence structures, and they are oppressed. Their wealth, beliefs, and values have been violated. Pakistan has always been recognized in the region as an oppressive and terror-supporting regime.”
Overall, the demand is that the international community should listen to the voices of Pashtuns and Baloch in Pakistan and its controlled areas and support them. Analysts believe that urgent international action is now needed to address the ongoing human rights violations by Pakistan and its military in these regions.
