The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) protest camp, located in front of the Quetta Press Club, entered its 5857th day today, marking over 16 years of continued resistance against enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
During the event, political and social activists, including Mir Bijjar Marri, Mahmood Bhadini, Suresh Bugti, and others, visited the camp to express solidarity with the families of the missing persons.
Speaking to the delegation, VBMP Vice Chairman Mama Qadeer Baloch emphasized the ongoing struggle and the atrocities faced by the Baloch community at the hands of the state. He stated, “Pakistan is not only committing genocide against the Baloch people but is also becoming a festering wound for the entire region. The state is experimenting with various new methods of torture to crush the Baloch movement.”
Mama Qadeer further asserted that despite the state’s “oppression”, Baloch political activists, student organizations, and other struggle groups continue to move forward, undeterred by the hardships they face. “Wars are not always won by power or numbers; they are won by those who stand on the side of truth. Today, it is our national duty to ensure that the tree planted by our martyrs never withers. The light they have ignited with their blood has now spread across the world, and it is our responsibility to protect it from storms,” he stated.
Reflecting on the long struggle for the recovery of the missing persons, Mama Qadeer stated that the movement has exposed the true face of the ruling elites, revealing their disregard for the Baloch people’s rights. “I want to tell those state agents that there is a limit to oppression. You have destroyed countless families, taken brothers away from their sisters, orphaned children, saddened mothers, and left the elderly helpless. For the Baloch, death, sacrifice, and imprisonment are not new concepts, but we continue our struggle with awareness and determination.”
In conclusion, Mama Qadeer emphasized that the “martyrdom” of Baloch people has not weakened the community, but has instead made them more resilient and determined. “After these sacrifices, questions are now being raised about the very existence of Pakistan. The blood of Baloch martyrs that flows across different parts of our motherland is beginning to bear fruit. Our struggle is gaining international recognition, and the voice of the Baloch is now echoing in global forums.”