Quetta– The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a prominent human rights organization in Balochistan, issued a scathing statement on Tuesday, condemning what it described as a systematic “genocide” of Pashtuns in Pakistan’s North Waziristan region. The group accused the Pakistani government of carrying out deadly drone strikes on civilian homes and killing children as part of a decades-long campaign of state repression.
“We strongly condemn the drone strikes on civilian homes, the brutal massacre of children, and the Pashtun genocide in North Waziristan,” the BYC said in its statement. “This is not just an isolated incident but a systematic, deliberate campaign of state violence against the Pashtun people.”
Drawing parallels with its own experience in Balochistan, the BYC alleged that both Baloch and Pashtun communities are being subjected to ongoing military aggression, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings under the guise of counterterrorism operations. The organization described routine mortar shelling and drone attacks in civilian areas as clear violations of human rights and international law.
“Today, not only the Baloch and Pashtun nations but also other marginalized ethnic groups across the region are facing extreme state repression. These include the abductions of political activists, targeted assassinations, and relentless military operations,” the statement continued.
The BYC called for solidarity among all oppressed groups in Pakistan, urging a united front against what it labeled “state barbarity.” The group emphasized that only collective resistance and grassroots mobilization could dismantle what it sees as a deeply entrenched system of violence and injustice.
The statement came just a day after the BYC reiterated its commitment to peaceful resistance in Balochistan, accusing the Pakistani government of attempting to “erase the Baloch nation” through decades of targeted violence, disinformation, and silence. The group also condemned the recent killing of Bakhtiar Ahmed Baloch, a resident of Naseerabad, who was allegedly shot by Frontier Corps (FC) personnel during a community protest against ongoing military operations.
“Bakhtiar’s killing is not an isolated tragedy,” the BYC said. “It is part of a larger pattern of state-sanctioned violence against Baloch civilians. These actions must be recognized for what they are: deliberate attempts to suppress dissent and destroy entire communities.”
The group appealed to the international community, global human rights organizations, and international media to take urgent action. “The people of Balochistan are being systematically targeted. The world must not remain silent,” the statement urged.
The BYC, known for its advocacy on behalf of the minority Baloch population in Pakistan, has itself been the target of a sustained crackdown. Members of the organization have been arrested or forcibly disappeared by Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). In March, several United Nations human rights experts demanded the immediate release of detained BYC activists and called on Pakistan to end its campaign against peaceful protestors.
The international community continues to monitor the situation in Balochistan and Waziristan with growing concern, as allegations of widespread human rights abuses mount. However, critics argue that global action has so far been limited, despite mounting evidence and appeals from activists on the ground. (Source: IANS)
