A Heartfelt Appeal from Punjab: Recognizing the Pain of Balochistan

London. [UK]. April 2: The MQM leader Altaf Hussain, in his 234th Intellectual Session on TikTok, made a passionate appeal to the people of Punjab and the rest of Pakistan to acknowledge the ongoing crisis in Balochistan.

He urged them to take immediate action to support the Baloch people, who are facing alleged state oppression and media censorship.

Hussain compared the nation to a family, emphasising that just as family members share in each other’s hardships, provinces must stand in solidarity during times of crisis. He highlighted that Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan, is currently engulfed in protests as people demand justice for missing persons and detained Baloch women. The Balochistan National Party (BNP) has staged a sit-in in Lakpas, Mastung, but instead of addressing their demands, the government has reportedly blocked their long march to Quetta by digging trenches on major roads.

Furthermore, Hussain condemned the alleged media blackout on BNP’s protests, arguing that suppressing their voice prevents other provinces from recognising the gravity of the situation. He directly questioned Punjab’s political and religious leaders, journalists, and intellectuals, asking how many of them had taken the initiative to visit Balochistan and express solidarity with its people.

He reminded the people of Punjab that Balochistan has always shown goodwill towards other provinces, even participating in protests for other national causes. Recalling the 1971 tragedy of East Pakistan, Hussain warned against repeating the same indifference that led to the country’s division.

He urged Punjab to mobilize delegations, visit Balochistan, and demonstrate unity through action rather than silence.

Additionally, he called for awareness regarding the recent drone strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which resulted in civilian casualties. Hussain implored Punjab to acknowledge the suffering of affected families and to advocate for an end to such attacks.

Addressing Punjab’s journalists, analysts, and media anchors, Hussain urged them to raise their voices against the alleged injustices in Balochistan, even at the risk of losing their jobs.

He described this as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good of the country.

He also called upon students across Punjab to stand up for national unity by organizing rallies and protests in solidarity with Balochistan’s people.

In a direct message to the Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, as well as all corps commanders and operational commanders, Hussain urged the military to initiate negotiations with Baloch leaders, including BNP’s Sardar Akhtar Mengal. He emphasized the importance of addressing legitimate grievances and ending the conflict through dialogue. Moreover, he called for an end to drone strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and encouraged direct talks with PTI chairman Imran Khan instead of selective negotiations with foreign actors.

Hussain concluded his appeal by stressing that the situation in Balochistan is a matter of national concern. He warned that if Punjab and the rest of Pakistan fail to stand with the Baloch people now, history will not forgive them. Pakistan’s unity, he asserted, depends on acknowledging and addressing the suffering of all its people.

The appeal has sparked debate across political and social circles, raising questions about the federal government’s handling of the Balochistan crisis and the role of media in covering the ongoing protests.