Raid on Baloch Leader Sparks Outrage Over Pakistan’s Use of Collective Punishment

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The recent raid on the home of Baloch woman leader Dr. Sabiha Baloch has drawn sharp condemnation from human rights advocates, who accuse Pakistani authorities of employing collective punishment tactics to stifle legitimate political dissent. Dr. Baloch, a senior figure in the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and former chairperson of the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC), reported that on July 13, her family home was stormed by security personnel from the Frontier Corps (FC) without legal authorization or warning.

According to The Balochistan Post, the paramilitary troops forcibly entered Dr. Baloch’s residence in her native village around 7 p.m., conducting a lengthy and intrusive search. During the operation, family members were allegedly harassed, threatened, and subjected to verbal abuse. No warrant was presented, nor were any formal charges laid raising serious concerns about the legality of the raid. Dr. Baloch described the event as a deliberate act of intimidation, saying it reflects a broader pattern of state-backed repression targeting Baloch civil society leaders.

The use of such heavy-handed tactics by Pakistan’s security forces, particularly the FC, a paramilitary force operating under the federal government has become increasingly common in Balochistan. Rather than pursuing due process, authorities have leaned on militarized crackdowns to suppress political movements demanding rights and recognition for Baloch people. Groups like the BYC, which advocate through peaceful means, have been unfairly branded as threats, despite their focus on democratic resistance and community activism. This latest raid not only undermines civil liberties but sends a chilling message to those seeking justice through nonviolent channels.

Critics argue that Pakistan’s approach to the Baloch issue remains rooted in coercion, not dialogue. The targeting of women leaders like Dr. Baloch underscores how far the state is willing to go in silencing dissenting voices. While Islamabad often touts its commitment to law and order, these actions paint a starkly different picture, one where power is exercised without accountability. If the international community continues to turn a blind eye, more activists may face similar harassment. For now, Dr. Baloch’s ordeal stands as a stark reminder of the price many pay for speaking truth to power in a state where silence is increasingly enforced at gunpoint.