Baloch activists up in arms against ‘China-Pakistan nexus’

Baloch activists, protesting in front of the Chinese Embassy here against the ‘China-Pakistan nexus’ in Balochistan, have vowed to never accept the contracts signed between Beijing and Islamabad to plunder the resource-rich province.

The Free Balochistan Movement (FBM), which has been protesting outside the Chinese Embassy since September 25, said in a statement: “Balochistan is not Pakistan. Deals with Pakistan, where Baloch have no influence, where Baloch resources are plundered and where there is heavy military presence by an occupying state can only lead to conflict.” 

“The contracts signed by the Punjabi Muslim army of Pakistan and the Chinese government in respect to Baloch resources and ports, in Balochistan, are illegal,” it said, referring to the $46-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that aims to connect China’s western parts with the Arabian sea through Balochistan’s strategic Gwadar port.

The group had launched its week-long protest, which ended on Sunday, as part of what they described as a peaceful campaign against the “China-Pakistan nexus” in Balochistan.

FBM activists organised sit-ins outside the Chinese Embassy for six days and ended with a demonstration on October 1, to coincide with China’s National Day.

“Baloch people have not taken part in these deals and have never accepted them and will never consider them as legitimate,” the statement added. The activists carried placards reading “Balochistan is not Pakistan” and chanted anti-Pakistan slogans as part of the demonstration.