Palestine seen from Balochistan: an interview with Lateef Baloch
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Picture: courtesy of Lateef Baloch
Since Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza, the world has seen some of the largest protests in solidarity with Palestine around the world, while simultaneously combatting censorship, state repression, and violence.
The brutality of Israel’s assault and the unapologetic support from Western countries have led countries of the global south to turn to alternative means to pressure Israel and its backers, such as using international courts to obtain provisional measures against Israel and its allies. At the same time, many states who did condemn Israel, continue to carry out their own assaults on marginalized groups or movements seeking freedom. Perhaps the perfect example of this is Iran, a country that uses the language of anti-imperialist resistance, while also suppressing revolutionary movements in Syria, at home, and elsewhere in the Middle East.
Many states around the world profess solidarity with the stateless Palestinians, while also suppressing political movements in their own territory. A lot of ink has already been spilled to talk about how and why states have professed pro-Palestinian politics, or why they have shifted towards Israel. But during the struggle for Palestine, states were not the only actors professing support or showing solidarity with Palestine. Indeed, those facing state violence, from Indian-occupied Kashmir, the Western Sahara, Kurdistan and elsewhere are making connections between their struggles and the Palestinian cause. The sources and history of these solidarities differ, but it is worth highlighting the commonalities of experiences that oppressed groups face around the world.
We turn to an activist from Balochistan, a region under Pakistan’s administrative control. Balochistan is currently split up between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, with the former two areas witnessing multiple uprisings and insurgencies against Pakistani or Iranian control. This is partially due to how Balochistan was annexed and the mistreatment of the Baloch populations by these occupying forces. A major grievance among the Baloch people in Pakistan has been the use of enforced disappearances by the Pakistan military and intelligence services. This has led to a large protest movement, the most recent of which was led by Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch, both of whom had family members forcibly disappeared. Pakistan’s repression of Balochistan has coincided with an increasingly deadly separatist armed movement in the province.
Lateef Johar Baloch was a member of the Baloch Students Organization - Azad (BSO-Azad). Because of their calls for an independent Balochistan, BSO-Azad was declared a terrorist group by Pakistan in 2013. One of Lateef’s colleagues and then-chairperson of BSO-Azad, Zahid Baloch, was abducted by the Pakistani military. Due to his subsequent activism and threats against his safety, Lateef and others connected to BSO-Azad (most notably Karima Baloch) sought asylum in Canada. Since then, Lateef has continued his activism while dealing with threats of transnational repression. Hari Prasad reached out to Lateef to learn more about the ongoing Balochistan movement, and how he and other Balochs view the ongoing struggle in Palestine.
How would you describe the current state and goals of the Balochistan movement? There is an armed movement fighting for independence, others seem to fight for a more 'fair' share from the central government. How do you see the state of the movement today?
Lateef Johar Baloch: The Baloch people's resistance to defend their land is historical. It has been going on since Balochistan's forced annexation in 1948. Indeed, it has seen ups and downs but never stopped.
Since 1948, the Pakistani state, which the Punjab province rules and controls, has systematically deprived the Baloch people of their fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination and personal freedoms and liberty. In addition, the colonial state has initiated brutal crackdowns on Baloch human rights activists, politicians, social justice advocates, intellectuals, journalists, organizations and collective punishment against innocent families. Despite the Pakistani state's brutalities and "kill and dump" policies against Baloch people, Balochistan's movement is gaining advanced momentum with Baloch women's leading roles as a change-making and inspiring development.
Most of the non-Baloch academics and think tanks often see armed insurgency as the only force for Balochistan's independence. But this is not valid. History suggests Baloch's mass uprisings and political and social resistance have always existed, educating Balochistan's several generations and learning towards advancement. Armed resistance is alive and becoming more influential. Baloch armed resistance is undoubtedly a reality, and the Baloch people widely support it. Many Balochs criticize armed organizations’ methods and some policies. From my experience and the facts, I can say they still consider the armed resistance essential to respond to Pakistan's military actions, stopping the forcible implementation of colonial projects, such as the extraction of natural resources.
The Pakistani media and institutions often portray some Baloch parliamentarians as fundamental political forces who seek a "fairer" share. In fact, parliamentarians have no significant leading role or influence in the ongoing movement. There are some corrupt tribal chiefs and those who do not have impactful political plans and goals. They have not achieved anything that benefits Balochistan's people except for their personal interests.Today's Baloch movement is also a resistance against them.
The Baloch people are aware that Punjab is a colonizer who wants their land and resources by attempting to destroy and eliminate Balochistan's ethnocultural identity through genocidal policies and demographic changes. This is why they never stopped resisting. Despite regional and international powers, such as China's direct expansionist actions and the unjust and silent behaviour of the US regarding Balochistan's independence movement, Baloch's resistance has persisted for decades. Today, it inspires other ethnocultural minorities in the region in many ways, such as its consistency and the leading role of Baloch women.
Pakistan has no soft power nor influence in Balochistan, except for the military. Therefore, it can not protect its colonial interests and projects, such as the China—[Punjab] Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Port. I do not see any future support for the so-called Pakistani "federation," either. The Baloch movement for freedom is gaining strength despite the brutalities Pakistan carried out to accommodate its colonial interest and projects such as CPEC and the Reko Diq mining project.
The Balochistan independence movement's further institutionalization and maturity could influence those with strategic and economic interests in the region. Even If they do not directly support the Baloch movement, they would at least refrain from doing anything against it for many reasons. For example, for those who display their foreign policies as “promoting and defending” human rights and progressive politics, taking direct action against Balochistan's independence movement will be challenging. It is because the Baloch have always avoided any confrontation with anyone or hurt their interests except those who attempted to override their fundamental rights and dispossess them from their land and resources.
It is still too early to predict significant changes. But the worst is to come for the region as the Baloch movement is getting stronger and other oppressed ethnocultural people, such as Pashtun and Kashmiris, are realizing that Punjab's colonial policies caused the suffering of their people and destruction of their peace and freedoms. They will resist. So, Punjab will continue military violence, attempting to maintain its status quo, which will only follow with catastrophic humanitarian crises in the region. Any further violence by Punjab will face resistance widely. This could engulf the globe if the international community still does not realize and reconsider their relationship with Punjabi elites and military generals, continuing to ignore millions of Baloch, Pashtun, and other colonized people.
How have the Baloch in Pakistan traditionally viewed the issue of Palestine? In some of the literature, I see comparisons made between how Pakistanis talk about Palestine but ignore Balochistan, but do many Baloch view their struggles as interlinked? I.e. Is there a history of Baloch-Palestinian solidarity?
LTJ: As an oppressed people, I don't think the Baloch support any colonizers against the people in similar situations. There is solidarity in the Baloch community with Palestine's sovereignty. This is not because of religion, as Pakistan and others portray the Palestine movement. But because Palestinians are the Indigenous owners of their lands. The Baloch movement always had moral solidarity with colonized nations, such as the Kurds.
Baloch people are also aware of those who attempt to exploit independence movements for their colonial interests, such as Pakistan does with the Kashmir issue. Punjab indeed wants Kashmir as a colony rather than a free state because of its resources, like water. The ongoing military actions against peaceful Kashmiri protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is an example, and it exposes Pakistan as a hypocrite, both in the Kashmir and Palestine case.
How has the Palestinian experience shaped the Balochistan movement, or is it relevant at all today?
LTJ: Independence movements inspire and learn from each other. Still, every movement starts indigenously and makes solidarity with others if they find similar interests or support them morally. Balochistan's political forces are aware of the Palestine movement. They appreciate pro-Palestinian freedom activists. For example, Laila Khalid, who Baloch activists often refer to. However, the Baloch struggle is homegrown.
There are some Baloch who are trying to make alliances with India (who nowadays is pro-Israel) and are critical of Islamist current in the Palestinian movement (e.g. some Baloch activists in DC that we met seem to take a pro-Israel stance), in your opinion and analysis, is this popular, or do most Baloch find solidarity with the Palestinians?
LTJ: There are always individuals or small groups that have different points of view and leanings. Overall, I did not see any Baloch political or armed organizations voice support for Israel's genocidal deeds against the Palestinian people as an institutional policy. Balochistan's movement has always tried to distance itself from using religion. They do not support anyone based on religious commonality or politics. Baloch people themselves are victims of the misuse of religion by Punjab and Tehran.
For example, the Pakistani state has institutionally used the entire state machinery and foreign aid to promote religious extremism in Balochistan. Since the war against the USSR in Afghanistan, thousands of madrassas were built and funded by Pakistani and other regimes, such as Saudi Arabia, for their colonial and exploitative interests. This primarily aimed to counter and eliminate the ethnocultural identity and politics of the Baloch people. However, Balochistan students' movement resisted and countered it.
It is also true that Balochistan's people love their religions and respect others. It is also true that the Pakistani state has brainwashed many Balochs for its colonial interests, creating sectarian extremists, such as Shafiq Mengal, and used them against Baloch freedom activists and human rights defenders.
Moreover, the Balochistan people want a sovereign and neutral state in the region. Like other nations, they might not take a direct side but are more diplomatic when commenting on or dealing with international issues and politics.
The Palestine case involves lots of actors and perceptions. Not only Baloch but several other ethnic groups struggling for independence in the region, such as Kurds, see Iran as an occupier and a destroyer of their identity, traditions, and people. Therefore, their perspective on and solidarity with Palestine is different than Iranian and Pakistani regimes', because the Baloch believe that these regimes do not support anyone's freedom movement but always try to influence and misuse them.
But it still depends on how the Palestinian and Israeli conflicts affect Balochistan's independence movement and how both peoples will behave toward Baloch. Sadly, no Palestinian political party or leading figures have shown any significant and open support for Balochistan's movement yet, which many Balochs always question.
You mention that no Palestinian figure/movement has shown any open support for Balochistan. How about in the Balochistan movement, have any of the armed leaders, party people, or others supported the Palestinian movement? Are you aware of any Baloch figures, from civilian leaders to the armed groups, who have put out statements about Palestine?
LTJ: Balochistan’s political and armed organizations’ members and prominent Baloch activists support the Palestine freedom movement. Through social media, they openly stand in solidarity with the Palestinians. Baloch organizations might have their own reasons and answers for why there are no policy statements.
In the past few months, you've been active in highlighting Barrick Gold's role and presence in Balochistan. Can you tell us a bit more about what they're doing and why it should be of concern? Is this something unique to Balochistan, or do you see this as part of a global phenomenon?
LTJ: The first Reko Diq mining agreement was signed with BHP Minerals Intermediate Exploration Inc. colonially by an unelected (caretaker) Prime Minister of Pakistan, Moeenuddin Qureshi and an unelected Chief Minister, Naseer Mengal, in Balochistan in 1993. Mr. Naseer's son, Shafiq Mengal (see above), is a sectarian terrorist and runs a Pakistani army death squad group. Mr. Shafiq has abducted and killed hundreds of pro-independence Baloch political activists, human rights defenders, and members of religious minorities in Balochistan.
In 2006, TCC (the Tethyan Copper Company) resumed the Reko Diq mining agreement. TCC's parent organizations were Barrick Gold and Antofagasta plc.
A pro-independent Baloch activist registered a petition to the Balochistan High Court against the TTC and Reko Diq mining project in 2006. Then, in 2013, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared the initial agreement "illegal." After that, Barrick Gold went to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) to fight the verdict. Barrick Gold "won" against the corrupt Pakistani government. Balochistan's people were sidelined as usual.
There is a puppet government in Balochistan brought to power by Pakistan's army. Resistance to the Reko Diq mining agreement has come from the local population because it was signed without their consent and participation, which is a direct violation of their right to self-determination.
The Canadian mining corporation and the Pakistani colonial regime have kept information about the mining agreement secret from the local people.
Mining operations also have far-reaching consequences on the environment and the well-being of the local communities: they severely threaten their traditional livelihoods and compromise their access to clean and safe drinking water, which is already scarce. The region's residents primarily rely on growing livestock, smuggling Iranian petroleum, and the dried wood business as sources of income.
The benefits of these colonial projects flow only to Punjab and Islamabad. Balochistan, particularly the Chaghi district, receives only mining waste and pollution, destroying their live and livelihoods.
Furthermore, Islamabad depends on bloody crackdowns and military violence to protect these projects in Balochistan. Enhanced security operations effectively repress local opposition to the Reko Diq project, increasing forced disappearances, killings and forced population transfers. Therefore, it must stop.
Yes, it is a global phenomenon. Canadian multinational corporations, including Barrick Gold, are accused of operating lawlessly, violating Indigenous peoples' right to self-determination and poisoning their ecosystems. They are particularly known for contaminating the global water supply in Argentina, the Dominican Republic and Papua New Guinea. The affected communities should fight these corporations in unison.
Final question. Balochs, Palestinians, Kurds, Kashmiris, and many other occupied or oppressed groups in the world are, to be frank, at a disadvantage and facing their own struggles. To a certain extent, it's understandable that some people are likely to be focused on just their struggle or be forced to make difficult considerations on who to turn to for support. But what do you think Baloch, Palestinians, and others could or should do to support each other?
LTJ: All current independence movements have their own challenges, and each primarily focuses on itself. Each battle is at a different level: some are more known or recognized than others. Each movement involves or interests different groups, supporters, or state powers, which makes collaboration among independent movements challenging. For example, a state that supports one independence movement, could be considered a colonizer for another ongoing independent movement. It is the same with small groups or communities.
Furthermore, ideological and belief differences also influence the distance between freedom movements globally. For example, for some movements, religion, and for others, ethnocultural identity, nationalism or a political ideology is the driving force and source of generating public support.
The colonized people's history, geography, political and economic circumstances and relationships with other states also shape their movement's leanings. Of course, the colonial state’s nature, ideology, and politics significantly influence the colonized people and their freedom of movement, including the intensity of their actions.
Such facts are a reality in state politics or political movements for sovereign states. Sadly, this restricts or limits the collaboration between freedom movements despite the fact that they are all fighting for a similar cause: an independent and sovereign country.
However, this does not mean an independence movement with a different ideology or belief will be against another freedom movement. Some people might want to refrain from collaborating with other freedom movements, fearing losing support from a state or a group. Or they might just not want to get involved.
It is also true that ongoing movements for independence are not in a position to help each other significantly or materially, such as through resource sharing or ground involvement. So far, we see only moral, online-educational, or awareness-based actions or solidarity and support among active independent movements.
It would be great if the more advanced or recognized movements helped the emerging or unrecognized movements. For example, they could connect, help wherever they can, or share experiences and knowledge with each other. They could also become part of their advocacy efforts to amplify their higher voice, helping them get recognized globally.
They can also work and campaign to pressure existing mechanisms or states to recognize their independence movements. They can group and build power (more possible for movements in the same region, such as Baloch, Kurd, Sindhi, Pashtun, Kashmiris, and others) and demand the international community and so-called powers with interests in the area to stop dealing with their colonizers. They can organize themselves and show the world that their independent states will not only do better for their people, country, and region's development and peace but also collaborate to stop the actors or factors that are challenges or risks for the world.
For example, the Pakistani state, which is based on a myth of religious commonality, is ruled and controlled by Punjab artificially. And Punjab has no other soft power or legitimate title to maintain so-called Pakistan's federation but religion. It has misused Islam to colonize other states.
The region's religious tensions and sectarian violence are the product of Punjab's colonial policies. If all the states Punjab colonized were independent, the region would see stability and cooperation because there would be several powers with their historical identity and lands to defend. So, they would decide with care and work collaboratively with others to avoid regional tensions. Right Now, Punjab is the colonizer. It decides everything to maintain its control over other states through illegal and violent means, caring for nothing.
Also, I don't see any other solution or way to bring peace and stability to our region. The Baloch, Pashtun, Kurd, Kashmiri, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, and all colonized people and states should think about the best possibilities for collaboration. Their collaboration and unity could free them and their homelands, making their children and future generations' lives better and more prosperous. Otherwise, their identity and title to their lands will continue disappearing with each passing year under Punjab’s colonial rule.