Pakistan Engaged In 'Tsunami Of Human Rights Violations': Baloch Leader

Washington: Pakistani forces are engaged in a "tsunami of human rights violations" in Balochistan, a top Baloch leader alleged today as he sought the help of the international community, including India, in the Baloch nationalist movement.

Brahumdagh Bugti, president of the Baloch Republican Party and the grandson of Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti who was killed in an encounter with the Pakistani army 10 years ago, also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recently raising concern over the situation in Balochistan.

"Pak forces are engaged in tsunami of human rights violations. We do not want to live with Pakistan any more," said Switzerland-based Bugti as he demanded a referendum of Baloch people under the supervision of the United Nations.

Speaking over phone from Switzerland where he had gone for a commemorative event to pay homage to his grandfather, Mr Bugti urged the international community, including the US, NATO countries, Israel and India, to help them fight their cause including political and military.

He said he is ready for a dialogue with the Pakistani government, but insisted that there is no going back on freedom movement.

Balochistan, which is as big as France, is Pakistan's largest province which has been under 'illegal Pakistani occupation for the last seven decades', he said.

Mr Bugti said PM Modi's recent remarks during his Independence Day is the "most powerful statement" in the last seven decades.

"It is for the first time that an Indian Prime Minister has spoken. We believe that India should have taken this step a long time ago," he said, adding that he is convinced about Balochistan freedom.

"I am thoroughly indebted to Prime Minister Modi. I thank Prime Minister Modi for speaking raising the voice of Baloch people in his Independence Day address," he said and alleged that Pakistan's crimes against the people are a shocker to the global community.

Use of aerial bombardment, use of gases have become routine, he claimed and added that Balochistan is the world capital of missing people.

"We are political people. We want to solve this with peaceful means. But there is no way we are going to be part of the Pakistan any more. We want freedom of Pakistan. We are not fools to try our luck again and again with Pakistan. We are ready to negotiate through peaceful means," Mr Bugti said.

Stating that his immediate course of action would be to create awareness in the international community, Mr Bugti, at the same time, also called for military assistance to the Baloch freedom struggle.

"So far we have never received any support from any international countries including India. We want to request India and other countries to help Balochistan. It is genocide of (the) Baloch (people) in Pakistan going on," he said.