London: Sindhi and Baloch leaders and activists demanded of the US government to use its influence for putting an end to the atrocities and human rights violation being committed by Pakistani army in Sindh and Balochistan. They also said ISI is supporting Taliban and Al-Qaeeda.

They were speaking at a demonstration organised by Balochistan Action committee UK, World Sindhi Congress, Balochistan Rights Movement and Sindhi-Baloch Forum here on Sunday in front of the US embassy in London.

Speaking on the occasion Mir Ghulam Hussain Baloch the infromation secratary of greater Balochistan National Congres said "We are gathered here today to appeal to president Bush to intervene in the crisis of balochistan, where the forces of Pakistan are inflicting a human genocide on the people of Balochistan. the military aid that has been given to Pakistan by the US to use against the terrorist organisations of the Taliban and Al- Qaeeda have instead been used to attack innocent and secular minded Baloch people. I appeal Mr Bush to stop the military and financial aid being given to the fundamentalist Regime of Pakistan. We further appeal to President Bush to intervene in the case of Akhtar Mengal who was arrested by the Pakistani secret agency (ISI) and is not being given a fair trial. Furthermore two other influential baloch political leaders: Ghulam Mohamed Baloch and Saleem Baloch have been abducted by the ISI and we fear for their lives. We are demanding for their safe and imminent release. We have said many times before it is vital for the UN to intervene in the situation of Balochistan. Without UN intervention, the problems in Balochistan will escalate further. UN intervention is needed to stop this ethical genocide of the Baloch people, which is being carried out, by rough state of Pakistan. i appeal to international aid agency to help the women/ children and elderly people in Balochistan. Once again, i appeal to President Bush not to turn a blind eye on the matter of Balochistan and to intervene in this crisis before it reaches unthinkable heights of human genocide. The land of Balochistan belongs to the Baloch people so let the Baloch people decide the future of their land.

Finally i would like to thank our brothers and sisters and especially our brothers who have came from Europe and Japan and who have joined us."

Dr Lakhu Lohana said that the Pakistani military had been usurping the rights of smaller provinces. “Pakistani army dominated by the people of Punjab, has been plundering the natural resources of Sindh and Balochistan, General Pervez Musharraf if following double standard. On the one had he pretends to be fighting terrorism but on the other hand he is supporting Taliban and Al-Qaeeda covertly. The weapons destined to be used against the Al-Qaeeda elements are being used against innocent people of Balochistan. Pakistani state is the biggest supporter of fundamentalism and extremism. It is the time that international community take notice of this double standard of General Musharraf and Pakistani army”.

He said that small nationalities has always been oppressed by pakistani military. “A number of Baloch nationalist leaders like Dr Safdar Sarki, Ghulam Mohammed Baloch and Mr Saleem Baloch have been kidnapped by Pakistani agencies and no body knows about their whereabouts. They have not been produced before any court of law. Thousand of political activists have also been arrested and they are being kept in inhuman conditions and tortured in secret dungeons of Pakistan’s Punjabi army and agencies. We demand international intervention in Sindh and Balochistan to put an end to injustices being committed by the Pakistani state. He further said Pakistan is like a poisonous snake that will sting the hand that feeds her. Therefore, the International community and the US must know that Pakistan is friend of no one. Today Pakistan is hurting secular minded people of balochistan but tomorrow-Pakistani terrorist will reach at your doorsteps. ”

Abdullah Baloch said that 1000s Baloch had been killed in the military operation in Balochistan. “According the UN figures, more then 84,000 people have been displaced from only two districts of Balochistan. More then 6000 educated Baloch youth, leaders and political and social activists have been kidnapped by Pakistani agencies. The military is committing gross violations of Human Rights”.

Samad Baloch claimed that Pakistan’s Punjabi army was plundering natural resources of Balochistan. “The baloch are being converted into a minority in their own land. Their lands are being snatched. They youth are being arrested and tortured and have even been killed by so-called law enforcement agencies. There is an immense of sense of insecurity among the Baloch people. They are worried about the safety of their leaders, political and social workers. He said even Baloch children and women are not safe in their own motherland, recently Pakistani army have arrested women and children in Sibi area of Balochistan and no body know about their whereabouts.”

Mr Raheem Baloch of Balochistan peoples’ Party said that a dictator was usurping the democratic rights of Baloch people. “We will not tolerate the plundering of our natural resources and killing of our people. Pakistani government is committing flagrant violation of human rights. World community should take notice of these violations and stop Pakistani military from committing heinous crimes against the Baloch Nation.”

Qader Bux Jatoi said that there had never been true democracy in Pakistan. “The country has always been under control of the military that has been usurping the democratic rights of the people. They have reduced the Baloch and the Sindhi to a status of second-class citizens. Todays demonstration is aimed at drawing the attention of world community toward violations of human rights being committed by government of Pakistan in Sindh and Balochistan.”

Jamshed Amiri said that the Pakistan is one of the biggest supporters of the extremism and Taliban. “All the so-called war on terror is being fight against the secular and democratic people of Balochistan. We have been warning the international community and the US in particular that do not support Pakistan in any way, because this war on terror is nothing but a drama and an excuse of Pakistan to grab money from international community.”

Mr Samander Askani who had travelled form Sweden to attend the protest said Baloch must unite no matter where they live in the world. “We must support our Baloch brothers and sisters back at home. We should support those who are sacrificing their lives for the better future of Balochistan and Baloch Nation. He said this is our last chance to save our motherland and to get rid of Punjabi slavery once and for the last time. He congratulated the Baloch and Sindhi activists for organising the successful demonstration on behalf of Radio Balochi Sweden.”

Nor din Mengal and Agha Marzooq Ali also spoke at the demonstration. Cllr Mushtaq Lashari and Raja Faiz Sultan attend the demo to show solideraty with Baloch and Sindhi people.

Earlier the demonstrators holding play cards and banners inscribed with slogans against General Musharraf, ISI and Pakistani Military, demanded an end to military operation, release of all Baloch political leaders and workers of Sindh and Balochistan. Many play cards were inscribed urging the International Community to hold an inquiry into Human Right violation by Pakistani Army. Meanwhile demonstrators got very furious when a bunch of pro-pakistan (paid agent of military) tried to disturb the demonstration. Furious Baloch and Sindhi demonstrators chanted slogan like “Down with pakistan, Death to Pakistan, Pakistan Army leave Balochistan and We want Freedom etc. Some Baloch activists snatch the Pakistani flag, form them, and throw it on the road while others crushed it under their feet. The situation turned tense and the police had to intervene. The police stationed at the US embassy immediately summoned more police men. Seeing more police the pakistan trouble maker fled away.

Related link

War on terror weapons being used against Baloch: Mengal

Letter to President George W. Bush

Click to See pictures of Demonstration