Oppressed Baloch, PoK will look to India, others if Pak won't deliver: JD (U)

The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday said that the exploited and oppressed people of Balochistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) will look to India and other countries for help and support if Pakistan chooses not to end its exploitation.

"If there are human rights violation in Balochistan, and if that is receiving recognition beyond Pakistan because the evidence for it is so overwhelming, not only India, but also other countries, then, it is only to be expected that the exploited and oppressed people in Balochistan will look upon such people who have taken note of their suffering as supporters, saviours or concerned people," JD (U) leader Pawan Verma told ANI here.

"I think that is what is happening in Balochistan in spite of the very repressive attempt to extinguish the protest there," he added.

Holding the Indian national flag and Prime Minister Modi's pictures in their hands, Baloch Republican Party (BRP) activists yesterday vented their ire against Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri for declaring Brahamdagh Bugti a "traitor".

The protests have been going on for the last few days in Sui, Dera Bugti, Jafarabad and Nasirabad among other locations in Balochistan province.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 70th Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi signalled a distinct hardening of posture against Pakistan by raising human rights violations in Balochistan and PoK.

He said that the people of PoK and Balochistan had thanked him for flagging human rights abuses by Pakistan's security forces.

Prime Minister Modi's comments were criticised as "crossing a red line" by the Pakistan Government, a charge rejected by New Delhi.