"Rising Attacks, Enforced Disappearances – Balochistan’s Crisis Deepens"
Security Threats Force University to Shift to Online Classes as Violence Escalates
University Closure Highlights Growing Instability
The University of Balochistan has been closed indefinitely due to rising security threats, with all academic activities shifting to online classes, according to an official notification issued on Tuesday.
Key Developments:
The closure follows a surge in militant attacks in the province. The decision, while not explicitly explained in the notice, is widely believed to be linked to growing insurgency and security concerns in Balochistan. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) recently hijacked a passenger train, escalating tensions further.
The deteriorating security environment in Balochistan has severely affected not only the military and law enforcement agencies but also civilians, activists, and educational institutions.
Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Intensifies Insurgency
Recent Attack on Jaffar Express: On March 11, insurgents from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the Jaffar Express, a passenger train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar. Explosives were detonated on railway tracks and tunnels, forcing the train to halt in a remote mountainous area. Several passengers were taken hostage, escalating fears of growing insurgent control in the region.
Balochistan has long been a hotbed of insurgency, with Baloch nationalists and armed groups opposing what they describe as the "Pakistani military's colonial occupation" of their resource-rich province.
Systematic Repression Fuels Resistance
Why Are Baloch People Revolting?
Balochistan, despite being rich in natural resources, has been marginalized by successive Pakistani governments. The Baloch people feel excluded from economic and political benefits, fueling long-standing resentment.
Human Rights Violations:
The Pakistani military has been accused of conducting arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture of Baloch activists, journalists, and civilians.
Enforced Disappearances:
Thousands of Baloch activists and political leaders have been abducted by security forces, leaving families without information on their whereabouts.
Many victims are tortured and either never return or are found dead. International organizations have repeatedly condemned Pakistan over these human rights abuses.
Militant Groups Gaining Strength:
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and other separatist groups continue to gain traction as resentment grows. Many Baloch view the Pakistani military as an occupying force, responsible for the destruction of their culture, identity, and autonomy.
What Lies Ahead?
The indefinite closure of the University of Balochistan signals a deepening crisis in the region, with education, security, and human rights all under threat.
As Pakistan continues its military crackdown, insurgent groups are likely to intensify their resistance, making Balochistan’s future increasingly volatile.
The international community remains largely silent, but the humanitarian crisis in Balochistan is too severe to ignore.
Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Sandeep
