Quetta – PUNA
Allegation #1:
“In a strong indictment of the United Nations for its apathy towards Baloch people, human rights activists have set up a pavillion named ‘Save the Baloch’ right outside the United Nations office of Geneva, highlighting their genocide committed by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”
Alternate Facts:
This so-called pavilion is a political stunt staged by exiled separatists linked to banned groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has been designated as a terrorist organization by Pakistan, the UK, and the US. Allegations of genocide are baseless and exaggerated, especially considering that Balochistan has representation in Pakistan’s Parliament, and the government has invested billions in development through CPEC and Project Pakistan. The UN does not recognize these claims as genocide — this is propaganda dressed as activism.
Allegation #2:
“Accusing Pakistan of committing ‘war crimes’ in the province, a leading Baloch human rights organisation highlighted the massive rise in ‘human rights violations’ in Balochistan.”
Alternate Facts:
The organization making these claims — Paank — is not an independent human rights body but the media front of the Baloch National Movement, a known separatist entity. It has no credibility in neutral human rights circles. War crimes are a legal term under international law, and no credible international court or body has accused Pakistan of such crimes. What Pakistan is fighting in Balochistan is a low-intensity insurgency driven by foreign-funded militant groups, not an ethnic war.
Allegation #3:
“In June 2025, numerous cases of enforced disappearances and illegal detentions were reported… including Karachi and Islamabad… 84 people were forcibly disappeared… 32 released after mental and physical torture.”
Alternate Facts:
These are unverified figures provided by a partisan source. While Pakistan has acknowledged issues around missing persons and is actively pursuing solutions through the Missing Persons Commission and judicial oversight, the numbers are often manipulated by groups trying to create an anti-state narrative. In many cases, “missing persons” are found to be militants hiding, in training camps, or crossing into Afghanistan/Iran. The government has repeatedly invited families for dialogue, something terrorist groups like BLA or BLF have never done with their victims’ families.
Allegation #4:
“Abductions of Baloch youth from Karachi and Islamabad have become increasingly common… raising serious concerns among families and defenders.”
Alternate Facts:
These claims ignore the reality that some Baloch students have been recruited into urban terrorism cells linked to BLA and affiliated organizations. Security forces do not target individuals based on ethnicity; actions are based on credible intelligence. If any youth is mistakenly detained, Pakistan’s judiciary offers redress, and many such cases have been resolved. Racial profiling is not a state policy — but militant recruitment from universities is a growing challenge that must be dealt with.
Allegation #5:
“In Karachi… the indigenous Baloch community… continues to face systematic state oppression… subjected to frequent harassment, illegal raids, and disappearances.”
Alternate Facts:
Karachi’s Baloch community is a vital part of its social fabric and has members serving in the armed forces, police, education, and politics. The term “systematic oppression” is a gross mischaracterization, often used to justify anti-state militancy. Illegal raids are never policy; all actions must be authorized and are subject to court review. Also, many Baloch tribes themselves have denounced the insurgents for dragging their youth into violence for personal and foreign-sponsored agendas.
Allegation #6:
“Statistics revealed 84 disappearances, 32 cases of abuse, 33 extrajudicial killings…”
Alternate Facts:
These numbers are unverifiable, sourced from a single, partisan group with no neutral validation. Moreover, they omit the killings of civilians, teachers, Chinese workers, and security officials at the hands of BLA/BLF terrorists. For balance, Paank should also report on how dozens of Pakistani soldiers and hundreds of civilians have been martyred in terrorist ambushes, IED attacks, and targeted killings — but they don’t. This selective outrage exposes their bias.
Allegation #7:
“The military is reportedly ‘detaining and killing individuals’ without any legal process…”
Alternate Facts:
Pakistan operates under a constitutional framework, and the military does not have the legal authority to kill without process. Operations in Balochistan are jointly coordinated with civilian law enforcement. Where violations have occurred, the state has taken action, unlike insurgents who glorify violence and never face accountability. If credible evidence exists, it should be brought before Pakistani courts or international neutral bodies, not through media sensationalism.
Allegation #8:
“Case of Aman Ullah Baloch… harassed and pressured by the Pakistani army… ended his own life.”
Alternate Facts:
This is an emotionalized anecdote that cannot be independently verified. It is irresponsible to link a suicide directly to state action without legal or medical investigation. Mental health, personal pressures, and socio-economic distress are complex and cannot be weaponized into political accusations. Moreover, militant groups have previously used suicide claims for propaganda, sometimes even killing defectors and blaming the state.
Allegation #9:
“These violations are reportedly carried out by Pakistani security forces, targeting civilians… reflects a disturbing trend of unchecked violence.”
Alternate Facts:
This is a sweeping generalization. Pakistan’s security forces have shown immense restraint in the face of decades-long insurgency and external sponsorship of terrorism, especially from hostile intelligence agencies. Civilians are not the targets — terrorists are. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to run rehabilitation programs, student scholarships, health outreach, and massive infrastructure projects in Balochistan. Unverified accusations don’t change the on-ground reality of development and reconciliation.
This report by Paank and the so-called “Save the Baloch” campaign is part of a narrative warfare strategy to demonize Pakistan on international platforms like Geneva. Genuine human rights advocacy must be balanced, verified, and acknowledge all forms of violence — including insurgent terrorism. Until that happens, this remains selective propaganda, not a credible human rights report.
