The central territory and four provinces have never been in agreement over most issues. The 18th Amendment does not help the matter much. Balochistan, in particular, has been neglected. For decades, the Baloch issues have been cast aside. To this day they are deprived of basic facilities. The March for lost Baloch men failed to gain attention for a long time. The case of missing Baloch Women is no different. Most Baloch people consider 27th March as a Black Day. This year #SaveBalochWomen started trending on social media. It questions the continuing disappearances of women in Balochistan.
Reports suggest that it is caused by continuous Army operations in the area. Baloch activist like Naela Quadri Baloch use the term “occupied Balochistan”. The state or main stream media has failed to highlight this issue.
Twitter trend of #SaveBalochWomen brought forward the following issues
– @UN She wants the safe release of Abducted MahBibi along with other women & children, could you concentrate for while ?#SaveBalochWomen pic.twitter.com/8bdrZwJQzE
— Shahzad Baloch (@ShahzadBaloch_) April 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/SadiqRaisani/status/982624074856845312
Need your moral support @EUCouncilPress. & @amnestyusa #SaveBalochWomen pic.twitter.com/sCOmNozLhm
— Fateh Baloch (@FatehBaluch01) April 7, 2018
Baloch Social Media activists will hold a Twitter campaign against the abduction and killing of Baloch women by Pakistan security forces. All are requested to join our campaign. #SaveBalochWomen pic.twitter.com/3PbV2Zlt62
— 𝕾𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖆𝖐 𝕭𝖆𝖑𝖔𝖈𝖍 (@sherakbaloch1) April 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/SobdarBaluch/status/982598379132870656
#SaveBalochWomen from pakistani state Terrorism #SaveBalochWomen #SaveBalochChildren pic.twitter.com/MMOOo4EoQT
— Shaay Baloch (@shaay_baloch) December 8, 2017
The movement is not new. And it is our failure to not have notice it persisted.
Protest held in Quetta against d abduction Baloch women during military operation #SaveBalochWomen #orangetheworld pic.twitter.com/h1p5x2zbPc
— Fateh Baloch (@FatehBaluch01) November 25, 2015
#SaveBalochWomen Baloch Leaders & Activists From Different Political Party's Joined a Protest InFront Of BBC London. pic.twitter.com/E2zsd8UfM5
— Mureed Baluch (@MuridBaluch) November 21, 2015
Activists are demanding attention from the international media and watchdogs, like the UN and Amnesty International. Patriarchal societies are known for ignoring women rights issues. Balochistan faces a major chunk of the problem.
Baloch Women are being killed, tortured in Pakistani torture cells hundreds of Baloch women are disappeared by Pakistani #ISI AND Army #SaveBalochWomen @UNHumanRights pic.twitter.com/LbDQpG0DBI
— Beebagr Baloch (@Beebagr_Baluch) April 7, 2018
Human rights activists break silent about #BalochGenocide
Yesterday Baloch woman killed in Mashkay illegal custody of Pakistani security forces, @amnesty must take notice and #SaveBalochWomen @TaibehA@Lacroix_UN@antonioguterres@MsJulieLenarz@BBCTimWillcox@UNHumanRights pic.twitter.com/YRmPQhAoDu— Zeenab Baloch (@ZeenabBaloch) April 6, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbIfY7hhDg8/?tagged=savebalochwomen
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhOuVP2j0As/?tagged=savebalochwomen
This is not a provincial or ‘Civil vs Military’ issue. It is about the state failing to protect its citizens. Baloch women have equal representation and rights as all others, according to the 1973 Constitution. Regardless, the issue remains unaddressed by the state and the military. The question to ask is – why are those, with the power to ensure safety, not taking this matter seriously? Balochistan has suffered the most since 1948. Not just in terms of lack of economic development and military actions, but social problems too.
