Baloch activists observe 'Baloch Martyrs Day'

Baloch activists held rallies and seminars all over the world to observe the 'Baloch Martyrs Day' on Tuesday.

In London, the Baloch National Movement organised a seminar to pay tributes to the activists killed by Pakistan's army and secret services agencies.

In Busan city of South Korea, a protest rally was organized by the Baloch National Movement and Baloch Students Organisation, Azad, on the eve of the Baloch Martyrs Day.

The protesters chanted slogans against Pakistan army's brutalities in Balochistan.

The Baloch nation has been commemorating November 13 as 'National Remembrance Day - Baloch Martyrs Day' for past few years.

This day's significance goes back to November 13, 1839, when the British forces attacked Balochistan and killed Baloch ruler Mir Mehrab Khan Baloch and his comrades.

The British then occupied and divided Balochistan into three parts by drawing arbitrary Gold Smith and Durand Lines which the Baloch nation never accepted as international borders and continued their struggle to regain independence of united Balochistan.

The Baloch activists paid tributes to martyrs in Vancouver city of Canada as well. Naela Quadri Baloch, president of World Baloch Women's Forum, said, "Balochistan has never accepted anybody's forceful occupation. Balochistan has always resisted against each and every kind of invasion - be it Portuguese, British, Iran or Arab. Whoever tried to forcefully occupy Balochistan, we have resisted".

"Today, Balochistan is resisting against the occupation of Iran and Pakistan and Baloch people are demanding to reunite Balochistan, a democratic, a peaceful and a nuclear-free Balochistan. And for this Balochistan, we Baloch will struggle," she added.

Talking about Pakistan's ill-treatment of Baloch people, especially women and children, Naela said, "Today, Balochistan is facing nuclearisation, Iran and Pakistan are using Baloch land against our will for nuclear testing. They are also hiding their nuclear weapons in Balochistan. Today, they are trying to infiltrate religious extremism in Balochistan. We have nothing to do with Taliban, ISIS or any other religious extremism. We are pluralist people and we respect each and every religion."

Thousands of Baloch men, women, youth and elderly have sacrificed their lives in defence of Balochistan and to resist against foreign occupation of their land.

The Baloch have fought against Arabs, Mughals, Mongols, Portuguese and British invading forces and defended the region.

Currently, Balochistan is struggling with the illegal occupation in the region by Iran and Pakistan after they occupied the sovereign Baloch nation in 1928 and 1948 respectively.