Pro-freedom activists protest against increasing Chinese involvement in Balochistan

Pro-freedom Baloch activists recently staged a protest demonstration in the suburbs of Quetta against the increasing involvement of China in Balochistan with the help of Pakistan Army.

The Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) rally by pro-freedom activists on September30 also witnessed huge participation of women and children, who blocked the main road for several hours and burnt the flags of China and Pakistan.

The protesters, who took to the streets against the occupation and exploitation of Balochistan's natural resources by Pakistan and China in the name of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in their region, also raised slogans like "Stop War Crimes in Balochistan", "Stop Baloch Genocide", "Down with Pakistan" and "Down with China".

Enraged over exploitation of their natural resources and atrocities committed by the Pakistani military against Baloch residents, the FBM protesters burnt effigies of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Baloch activists accused China of helping Pakistan committing atrocities and human rights violations in Balochistan.

One of the protesters said, "The protest demonstration was taken out by the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) to expose before the world the plunder of their natural resources by Pakistan and China in the name of CPEC and human rights violations by Pakistan in Balochistan."

"Baloch people, women, students and youth, who gathered here, condemn the alliance partners of Pakistan, who are supporting it in the name of military and economy. In the name of development, Pakistani military and Pakistan's alliance partners are plundering Balochistan's resources and are trying to dismantle Balochistan's identity," he said.

"Everyday the people are being killed in Balochistan, we are also protesting against that," he added.

A girl, who also participated in the protest rally, condemned the Pakistan-China alliance against Balochistan.

"Today, we are here to support the Free Balochistan Movement... Pakistan is plundering Balochistan's resources. The recent condition of Baluchistan depicts sad pictures. I personally appeal to the people of China to ask their government not to take part in the genocide taking place here," she said.