Osama Ahmad
On January 25, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a human rights organization led by Baloch women, organized a large rally in Dalbandin, Balochistan, despite an internet shutdown and a state crackdown.
Zohak Baloch, a 29-year-old Baloch protester from Khuzdar, Balochistan, told The Diplomat, “While the state tries to suppress our voices, we continue to protest for our rights. Our people, especially our women, are resilient. No one can stop us from standing up for our rights because our protests are peaceful, and we are determined.”
The BYC has provided new leadership from the Baloch middle class. While the tribal chiefs formerly enjoyed greater influence and power in the province, their privilege has been eroded. The new Baloch leaders are young, educated, dedicated, and articulate. They are well-versed in the language and concepts of resistance and mobilization, effectively communicating their message not only within Balochistan but also to the rest of the world.
However, the state’s response to these protests has only grown harsher.
Just days before the Dalbandin rally, Sindh police launched a crackdown on women protesting under the BYC banner in Karachi, inviting condemnation from human rights activists across the country.
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