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One Person Goes Missing, Another Returns Home in Dera BugtiThe Balochistan PostSecurity forces in Dera Bugti, a district...
11/04/2025

One Person Goes Missing, Another Returns Home in Dera Bugti

The Balochistan Post

Security forces in Dera Bugti, a district in Balochistan, reportedly detained a man who has since gone missing, while another previously missing person has returned home safely.

According to reports, Anwar Bugti s/o Mugheem Bugti was taken into custody by personnel from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies outside a court in Sui on Thursday morning. Anwar, who is said to be an active member of the Levies Force, has not been seen since his arrest.

Family and local sources claim that Anwar’s detention amounts to enforced disappearance, as no official record of his arrest or whereabouts has been shared.

In a separate development, Nizam Hassan Baloch, a young writer and PCS-qualified candidate, has reportedly returned home after being missing for some time. His return comes on the day he is scheduled to appear for an important Provincial Civil Service (PCS) interview.

No official statements have been issued regarding either case.
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Outrage in Pasni After Young Boy Abducted and MurderedThe Balochistan PostA protest rally was held on Thursday in Pasni,...
11/04/2025

Outrage in Pasni After Young Boy Abducted and Murdered

The Balochistan Post

A protest rally was held on Thursday in Pasni, a town in Balochistan’s coastal city of Gwadar, in response to the killing of a young boy named Saahil Gulab. The march began at the Pasni Fish Harbour jetty and ended at the Pasni Press Club.

Hundreds of people joined the rally, including women, political and religious workers, social activists, traders, fishermen, and civil society members. The protesters expressed deep sorrow over the killing and said it had created fear among parents, especially those with children of Saahil’s age.

The demonstrators said Saahil was a school-going child who had gone missing. His body was later found dumped by the main road in a severely mutilated condition. They believed such a brutal act could only be carried out by people who feel they are above the law and have no fear of justice.

On the same day, the Gwadar Bar Association in Pasni boycotted court proceedings to show solidarity with Saahil’s family. The lawyers said they would not provide any legal assistance to the accused if arrested, and instead would support the police in their investigation.

During a press conference at the court bar room, several lawyers — including Advocate Muhammad Arif, Advocate Mansoor Ahmed, Advocate Sarfraz Saleem, and Advocate Saeed Faiz — said the entire town was in grief. They described the incident as tragic and shocking, and said it had shaken the community.

The lawyers added that incidents like these are dangerous for any peaceful society and show that criminals feel free to challenge the authority of the law, police, and administration. They stressed that in a just society, even powerful offenders must be treated as criminals by the police.

The Gwadar Bar Association strongly condemned the killing, calling it a crime not only against one family but against humanity and the community’s values. They demanded the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), the immediate arrest of those responsible, and strict punishment under the law.

They also called for a transparent, impartial, and speedy investigation. The lawyers urged the authorities to take serious steps for child protection in the area and prevent such incidents in the future. They also demanded legal support and financial aid for the victim’s family.

The association pledged to continue their legal struggle until justice is served. They appealed to civil society, human rights groups, and the general public to raise their voices and unite to protect innocent lives.
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PPP Balochistan Leaders Accuse Akhtar Mengal of Supporting Militancy, Playing Double GamesThe Balochistan PostIn a fiery...
11/04/2025

PPP Balochistan Leaders Accuse Akhtar Mengal of Supporting Militancy, Playing Double Games

The Balochistan Post

In a fiery press conference in Quetta, senior leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Balochistan, including provincial ministers and MPAs, joined government spokesperson Shahid Rind to strongly criticize Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal. The PPP leadership accused Mengal of duplicity, backdoor negotiations, and shielding armed elements under the guise of political activism.

PPP Balochistan President Sadiq Umrani dismissed Mengal’s recent criticism of the PPP as baseless, saying the BNP leader’s objectives remain unclear and erratic. “Sometimes it’s six points, sometimes something else — the man has no consistency,” Umrani said, adding that Mengal has long been engaging in secret talks with the government.

Umrani went on to accuse Mengal of using women as human shields to protect militants. “We have sacrificed our martyrs for the survival of the country and democracy, while Akhtar Mengal continues with cowardly politics,” he said. He also claimed Mengal received Rs 15 billion from former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and is now hypocritically talking about rights.

He further alleged that Mengal is rattled by the possibility of arrest under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (3MPO). Referring to a reported bomb threat at Shahwani Stadium, Umrani claimed BNP leaders were barred from entering the venue due to alleged involvement in a plot to plant 500 kg of explosives.

Ali Madad Jatak, another PPP leader, labeled Mengal as a “B-Team” of terrorists. “He never raises his voice for other women detainees, only those that suit his agenda,” he said. Jatak argued that Mengal is disturbed by the developmental projects initiated under Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti.

Balochistan Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar accused Mengal of backing “terrorists like Mahrang,” referring to BYC leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch. He claimed Mengal shows neither respect for women nor commitment to democratic principles. “He’s even avoiding his own arrest. The PPP has always spoken out against terrorism — this is what Akhtar Mengal cannot digest,” Kakar said.

The leaders insisted that Mengal’s attempts to pressure or blackmail the government would not succeed. They also criticized him for politicizing the Chief Minister’s recent visit to President Asif Zardari. “Mengal didn’t even condemn the killing of a laborer. His silence reveals his apathy,” Umrani added.

The press conference marks a significant escalation in political tensions between the PPP and BNP in Balochistan, with both parties vying for influence amid growing unrest and public scrutiny.
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Akhtar Mengal at Lakpass Sit-In: “We fight for dignity, not power”The Balochistan PostThe sit-in protest in Lakpass mark...
11/04/2025

Akhtar Mengal at Lakpass Sit-In: “We fight for dignity, not power”

The Balochistan Post

The sit-in protest in Lakpass marked its fourteenth consecutive day today, with Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal delivering a fiery speech condemning the country’s political leadership and reaffirming his commitment to the struggle for Baloch rights.

Mengal lashed out at critics, saying, “Some dogs are barking from the sidelines, but we are here for our land. Your Bhutto went to jail and died for power — we were imprisoned and martyred for our homeland. You were jailed for corruption and looting the national treasury, while we made sacrifices for principles.”

He took aim at the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), mocking its slogan of “Roti, Kapra, Makaan” (bread, clothing, shelter). “Those who promised us roti gave us kafan (shrouds), graves, and bullets. They burned down our homes,” Mengal said.

Criticizing both PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Mengal said these parties failed to show solidarity with the protesters. “Every political party came to express sympathy — except PPP and PML-N. For them, power is more important than principles,” he added.

Mengal clarified that their demand is not power or privilege, but the dignified release of Baloch women allegedly detained without due process. “We are not going to Quetta for personal gain, but to secure the release of our unjustly imprisoned women,” he stated.

He challenged PPP leaders Sadiq Umrani and Ali Madad Jattak — who were among the score of PPP Balochistan leaders who held a fiery press conference in Quetta a day before, criticising Akhtar Mengal of supporting militancy and playing backdoor politics — saying, “Once we leave, try bringing your leaders here and hold a sit-in like this. We’ve been sitting on this deserted ground for 14 days.”

Mengal also took a jab at former President Asif Ali Zardari, claiming, “Zardari is hiding in a hospital, pretending to be sick after making political deals over Sindh, fearing public backlash.”

He praised the courage and awareness of Baloch women, stating, “You can’t even stand up to our men — don’t even think about taking on our women. Baloch women are conscious and patriotic [towards Balochistan].”

Ending his speech, Mengal said, “Don’t just pray for my life — pray that I die with dignity.”
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Balochistan High Court Reserves Verdict on Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s Detention Under 3MPOThe Balochistan PostThe Balochistan ...
11/04/2025

Balochistan High Court Reserves Verdict on Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s Detention Under 3MPO

The Balochistan Post

The Balochistan High Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on a petition challenging the detention of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other activists under Maintenance of Public Order Act, commonly known as the 3MPO.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Ahmed Swati and Justice Muhammad Aamir Nawaz Rana heard the petition, which was filed by Dr. Mahrang’s sister against her detention and that of other BYC members.

Representing Dr. Mahrang in court were senior lawyers Kamran Murtaza, Rahib Buledi, Khalid Kubdani, Ahmad Kurd, and others. The counsels presented their arguments before the court, which then directed them to submit an affidavit under Article 5 of the Constitution.

Following a brief adjournment, the petitioner’s lawyers submitted the required affidavit. Advocate General Adnan Basharat raised objections to the contents of the statement, prompting further legal arguments from both sides.

After hearing the arguments, the court reserved its judgment. Speaking to media outside the courtroom, Kamran Murtaza said the arguments had concluded and expressed optimism regarding the outcome. “In my view, the detention order was unjustified. Hopefully, the court will announce the decision in a day or two,” he said, noting that the petition had been filed on behalf of Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s sister.
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Protester Shot by Pakistani Forces in Wadh Succumbs to InjuriesThe Balochistan PostA protester who was reportedly shot b...
11/04/2025

Protester Shot by Pakistani Forces in Wadh Succumbs to Injuries

The Balochistan Post

A protester who was reportedly shot by Pakistani security forces during a demonstration in Wadh on April 7 has died from his injuries, local sources confirmed on Thursday.

The victim, identified as Inayatullah s/o Majeed Lehri, was critically wounded when security personnel opened fire on demonstrators protesting against the crackdown and arrests of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and activists. The protest rally, held in Khuzdar’s Wadh area, was part of a broader wave of unrest across Balochistan in response to what rights groups have called a campaign of repression against peaceful political dissent.

Inayatullah’s death has sparked renewed outrage, with political parties and human rights defenders accusing the state of using excessive force against unarmed civilians. In previous demonstrations against the arrest of BYC leaders in Quetta, the security forces had opened live fire on the demonstrators, resulting in the death of three protestors and wounding at lest 35 others. One of the slain victims was a thirteen-year-old boy, who died on the spot after getting shot in the heart by the Pakistani forces.
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Three Policemen Killed in Quetta Attack Claimed by BLFThe Balochistan PostAt least three police officers, including a su...
10/04/2025

Three Policemen Killed in Quetta Attack Claimed by BLF

The Balochistan Post

At least three police officers, including a sub-inspector, were killed in a gun attack on a police mobile unit in Quetta on Wednesday night, a senior police official has said.

The official said that unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on the police team near the city’s Sariab Road area at around 10:40pm.

“Three policemen, including Sub-Inspector Abdul Wali Tanoli, were killed in the targeted attack and one officer was wounded,” the official added.

CCTV footage of the attack showed armed men riding two motorcycles opening fire on the police vehicle before fleeing the area. The attackers had covered their faces.

The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), a “pro-independence” Baloch armed group, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement issued on Thursday.

BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch said the group’s “Qurban Unit” had carried out the operation based on prior intelligence.

“Our fighters eliminated Sub-Inspector Abdul Wali Tanoli and two others, and confiscated their weapons,” the statement said.

The group accused the Quetta police of being involved in the “abduction-like arrests” of Baloch women and children, as well as torture and the extrajudicial killing of Baloch youth.

The statement warned that police personnel accused of such actions would now be treated as enemy combatants.

“Police acting against the Baloch nation will face the same consequences as the occupying army,” the BLF said. “Our mission is the national liberation of Balochistan, and this struggle will continue.”
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BLA Member’s Father and Brother Abducted in Bolan; Three Disappeared Youths Released in Quetta, Mastunghttps://buff.ly/j...
10/04/2025

BLA Member’s Father and Brother Abducted in Bolan; Three Disappeared Youths Released in Quetta, Mastung

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‘We Must Continue Our Struggle with Patience, Perseverance and Confidence’: Dr Allah Nazar BalochThe Balochistan PostBal...
09/04/2025

‘We Must Continue Our Struggle with Patience, Perseverance and Confidence’: Dr Allah Nazar Baloch

The Balochistan Post

Baloch “pro-independence” leader Dr Allah Nazar Baloch has urged the Baloch people to maintain unity and resilience in their struggle for freedom, arguing that the Pakistani state has failed to suppress the growing movement.

In a message published in Ispar, the Balochistan Liberation Front’s (BLF) monthly magazine, Dr Baloch said the continuity of the Baloch national liberation struggle had pushed the state into psychological disarray.

Quoting a Punjabi political figure, he claimed: “A Punjabi leader once said, ‘Wherever you see a Baloch, shoot him.’ Perhaps that short-sighted individual is unaware that his predecessors began this practice shortly after the creation of Pakistan.”

“The Baloch have carried the bodies of their loved ones when they demanded water. They’ve shed blood for electricity and received corpses in return when asking for food. The ones who bury people alive are someone else,” he said.

Dr Baloch said the Baloch nation had come to realise that silence in the face of oppression amounted to slow genocide. He added that unlike previous movements, the current struggle has grown stronger and more inclusive over the past two decades.

He pointed to enforced disappearances and the discovery of mass graves as evidence of state brutality.

“Despite all state terrorism, oppression and genocide, the Baloch nation has not bowed,” he said.

Dr Baloch dismissed recent claims by the military that it had “changed the rules of the game”, stating: “The Baloch had already rewritten those rules long ago.”

He accused the Pakistani state—particularly the Punjab region—of exploiting Balochistan’s natural resources while ignoring human rights and resorting to violence to maintain control.

Dr Baloch urged the Baloch people to stay committed to the struggle and to avoid internal divisions.

“Nations are not destroyed by war or famine, but by internal discord and superficial divisions,” he said. “Unity, awareness and confidence are our guarantees of survival.”

He praised the discipline and strategy of Baloch fighters, calling their approach “unparalleled in the region.”

“This level of conscious and practical participation in a national liberation movement is rare in recent history,” he said.

Dr Baloch warned that Balochistan should not be compared to past conflict zones such as Jaffna, Ireland or Swat.

“Despite access to modern technology and local agents, the enemy remains unfamiliar with Balochistan’s geography,” he said. “If they truly understand the cost of their losses, the best option is to leave Balochistan.”

He repeated longstanding allegations that the Gwadar port and newly constructed airport are being used for military purposes. He claimed that Chinese submarines and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel are already present in Gwadar.

“This region may become a new hotspot in the global contest over warm waters,” he said, adding that even the head of Pakistan’s intelligence agency had admitted the army no longer knew how many soldiers it had lost in Balochistan.

Dr Baloch concluded with a warning that increased international involvement in the conflict could have significant consequences for Pakistan.

“If global powers become involved in this war,” he said, “Punjab may end up becoming part of a neighbouring country.”
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Protests Held in Khuzdar and Washuk Against Arrest of BYC LeadersThe Balochistan PostProtest rallies were held in Khuzda...
09/04/2025

Protests Held in Khuzdar and Washuk Against Arrest of BYC Leaders

The Balochistan Post

Protest rallies were held in Khuzdar and Washuk districts of Balochistan on Wednesday against the ongoing crackdown on the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), including the arrest of its leadership and alleged mistreatment of BYC members.

In Khuzdar, the BYC’s Jhalawan Region organised a rally under the banner: “Illegal Detentions and Enforced Disappearances of BYC Leaders and Workers, State Violence Against Peaceful Protesters, Killings of Unarmed Demonstrators, Violations of Privacy, and Ongoing State Atrocities in Balochistan.”

A large number of women and children joined the demonstration, which marched from Kund High School to the Jhalawan Complex, chanting slogans calling for an end to the crackdown.

Protesters said demonstrations would continue across Balochistan unless the detained leadership was released and action was taken against institutions involved in what they described as “brutal state repression.”

A similar protest was held in Washuk district, where a large crowd—including women, children and the elderly—condemned the arrests and called for the immediate release of BYC leaders, including Dr Mahrang Baloch.

Demonstrators also condemned the use of force during BNP-M chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal’s “Baloch Long March” and demanded that participants be allowed to continue their protest in Quetta.

Protesters warned that they would not remain silent in the face of continued state violence and repression.
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Scotland-Based Baloch Community Protests Crackdown on BYCThe Balochistan PostMembers of the Baloch community held a prot...
09/04/2025

Scotland-Based Baloch Community Protests Crackdown on BYC

The Balochistan Post

Members of the Baloch community held a protest outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Tuesday, denouncing Pakistan’s ongoing crackdown on the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).

The demonstration highlighted what organisers described as “enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings” carried out by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan.

Protesters held placards and chanted slogans demanding the immediate release of detained BYC leaders and activists, including Dr Mahrang Baloch, Beebow Baloch, Gullzadi Baloch, Sibghatullah Shah Ji, and Bebarg Baloch.

Members of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) also joined the protest in a show of solidarity.

Organisers urged the international community to take notice of the situation in Balochistan and to press the Pakistani government to end what they called “a campaign of political repression.”

Representatives from Amnesty International also attended the protest and expressed support for the demonstrators’ demands. They said the organisation would raise the issue with relevant international forums and human rights bodies.
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UN Special Rapporteur Urges Pakistan to End Harassment of Baloch Activist Dr SabihaThe Balochistan PostThe United Nation...
09/04/2025

UN Special Rapporteur Urges Pakistan to End Harassment of Baloch Activist Dr Sabiha

The Balochistan Post

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders has called on Pakistani authorities to stop harassing Baloch activist Dr Sabiha Baloch and her family.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Mary Lawlor said she was “deeply concerned” by reports that Dr Baloch could face imminent arrest in Balochistan.

She also condemned the reported detention of Dr Baloch’s father, describing it as retaliation for her political and human rights work.

“Authorities in Balochistan must end their retaliation against her and ensure she is free to protect, defend and promote human rights,” Lawlor said.

Dr Baloch is a senior leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a political group that has organised major demonstrations across Balochistan against state repression. The group is currently facing a widespread crackdown by Pakistani authorities, with several of its members — and in some cases, their family members — arrested or forcibly disappeared.

Dr Sabiha Baloch’s father, Mir Bashir Ahmed, was allegedly taken by Pakistani security forces on 5 April from the town of Hub. He has not been seen since.

Dr Baloch said her father was being targeted because of her activism.

“My father has not been taken for any crime, but because of my political stance,” she said. “This is not law enforcement – it is political blackmail.”

Family sources told The Balochistan Post that Pakistani intelligence officials informed the family that Mr Ahmed would only be released if Dr Baloch resigned from the BYC or turned herself in to authorities. They also reportedly issued threats, including the possible killing of her father.

Dr Baloch is among several BYC members who have reported intimidation or detention in recent weeks.

Dr Mahrang Baloch remains in jail after being arrested during a sit-in protest in Quetta. Beebow Baloch and Gulzadi Baloch are also in custody. Fouzia Baloch and Mahzeb Baloch were detained in Karachi and Hub but later released.

Sammi Deen Baloch, who was detained during protests in Karachi, has also been released.

Protests led by the BYC and the Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) have continued for 13 days across the region. Demonstrators are demanding the release of all detained activists and an end to what they describe as state repression.

Meanwhile, the Balochistan government has responded by blocking key roads into Quetta using shipping containers and trenches, in an attempt to prevent additional protesters from joining the ongoing sit-in at Lakpass.
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BLA Claims Responsibility for Attacks on Pakistani Forces in Jiwani and NoshkiThe Balochistan PostThe Baloch Liberation ...
09/04/2025

BLA Claims Responsibility for Attacks on Pakistani Forces in Jiwani and Noshki

The Balochistan Post

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a “pro-independence” armed group, has claimed responsibility for two attacks targeting Pakistani security forces in the towns of Jiwani (Gwadar district) and Noshki. The group’s spokesperson, Jeeyand Baloch, issued a statement to media outlets detailing the operations and their intended objectives.

According to the statement, the first attack took place at dusk on the Coastal Highway in the Gabad area of Jiwani, where BLA fighters reportedly used a remote-controlled improvised explosive device (IED) to strike a vehicle belonging to the Pakistani security forces. The spokesperson claimed that one soldier was killed on the spot, four others were seriously injured, and the vehicle was heavily damaged.

The second incident reportedly occurred in the Qadirabad area of Noshki, where a serving Pakistani military personnel identified as Zahir, son of Gohar Khan Mengal, was shot and killed. The BLA alleges that the individual was not only part of the military but also worked with Military Intelligence (MI) under the guise of a rickshaw driver, gathering intelligence in and around Noshki.

The group stated that the slain individual was assisting security forces with local operations and had been on their watchlist. “Today, we brought him to his end,” the spokesperson said.

In the closing part of the statement, the BLA reiterated its stance that all Pakistani military personnel and their alleged collaborators will be targeted, wherever they may be. The group emphasized that its operations are part of a broader armed struggle for what it describes as Baloch national freedom and sovereignty.

There has been no official confirmation or response from the Pakistani military regarding the incidents so far. Balochistan has long been the site of an insurgency by various nationalist groups who accuse the state of exploiting the region’s natural resources while denying its residents political rights and economic benefits. Pakistani authorities, on the other hand, label these armed groups as terrorists and maintain that such actions threaten national security in the region.

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Govt-Backed Militia Suspected in Deadly Panjgur Shooting as Enforced Disappearances Persist Across BalochistanThe Baloch...
08/04/2025

Govt-Backed Militia Suspected in Deadly Panjgur Shooting as Enforced Disappearances Persist Across Balochistan

The Balochistan Post

Violence and enforced disappearances continue to grip various parts of Balochistan, as incidents from Panjgur, Quetta, and Kech highlight the ongoing instability in the region.

In Panjgur’s Washbod area, a targeted shooting occurred on the evening of April 7, resulting in the death of one man and injuries to three others. The deceased has been identified as Bahadur Shafi, brother of lecturer Muslim Shafi. The injured individuals—Sohail, Shahid, and Farhan—are reportedly relatives of the victim. All were rushed to the District Teaching Hospital following the attack.

According to local sources, the assailants were allegedly members of a state-backed armed group commonly referred to as a “death squad”, which has been accused of involvement in numerous such attacks in the region under alleged protection from Pakistani law-enforcement forces.

Meanwhile, in Quetta’s Sariab Customs area, Pakistani security forces reportedly detained Chief Safar Baloch from his shop. Since his arrest, the family claims there has been no information on his whereabouts. They have appealed to the authorities for his safe recovery, expressing concern over his enforced disappearance.

In a related development, a young man previously reported as missing has returned home safely. The youth, identified as Taif, son of Tariq, a resident of Kalaho, had been forcibly disappeared allegedly by Pakistan security forces on February 20, 2025, from the Tump Balicha area of Kech district. After over a month in unknown detention, he has now been released and reunited with his family.

These incidents reflect the broader pattern of lawlessness, extrajudicial practices, and human rights violations frequently reported in Balochistan. While some disappearances end in safe recovery, others lead to prolonged detentions or, in many tragic cases, targeted killings that deepen the region’s crisis of insecurity and mistrust.

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NRL Discovers Significant Copper and Gold Deposits in Chagai, BalochistanThe Balochistan PostNational Resources Limited ...
08/04/2025

NRL Discovers Significant Copper and Gold Deposits in Chagai, Balochistan

The Balochistan Post

National Resources Limited (NRL), a 100% privately-owned Pakistani company, has announced the discovery of substantial copper and gold deposits in Chagai, Balochistan. The announcement was made by NRL Chairman and CEO of Lucky Cement, Mr. Muhammad Ali Tabba, during his address at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025, held in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.

NRL, a subsidiary of Fatima Fertilizer, Liberty Mills Limited, and Lucky Cement, was granted an exploration license in October 2023. The licensed area spans 500 square kilometers, within which 16 potential mineralized zones have been identified over the last 18 months. Advanced drilling has already commenced at the Tang Kore site.

So far, NRL has completed 13 diamond drill holes, totaling 3,517 meters. All drill holes have shown signs of mineralization. Analytical results from the first six holes (1,500 meters) confirm the presence of strong mineralized zones near the surface.

Initial findings from the drill holes indicate copper grades ranging from 0.23% to 0.48%, gold from 0.09 grams per ton to 0.14 grams per ton, and silver from 1.30 grams per ton to 6.21 grams per ton. These combined indicate an equivalent copper grade of approximately 0.28% to 0.56%.

Advanced drilling at Tang Kore is scheduled for May 2025. NRL expects to release a formal NI 43-101 technical report by the end of the year, prepared by international consultants who are currently overseeing the project. Following this, a 3–4 year period of detailed exploration and feasibility studies will take place. Simultaneously, exploration work at other identified locations will continue.

In addition to the copper-gold prospects, NRL has also secured a lead-zinc exploration license adjacent to a well-known mineral deposit, where a bankable feasibility study has already been completed. The company is also conducting a comprehensive metal value chain study to evaluate downstream processing opportunities.

NRL is actively working with the Government of Balochistan and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to secure two additional copper-gold exploration licenses in Chagai with the support of a $100 million exploration fund.

To expand its exploration efforts, NRL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) for joint work on new leases. The company also plans to bring in additional investors as the project progresses, based on future needs.

While officials have hailed this discovery as a major step forward for Pakistan’s mineral sector and investment climate, the local population of Balochistan remains deeply skeptical about whether such developments will translate into real benefits for them. Many nationalist and civil society groups in the province believe that Pakistan is exploiting Balochistan’s vast natural resources while keeping the indigenous population marginalized and deprived of even basic human needs such as clean drinking water, access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

Decades of mistrust have led to repeated protests, insurgency, and armed resistance by Baloch militant groups, who view these mining ventures as a form of colonial resource extraction. These groups have issued warnings and carried out multiple attacks targeting security forces and foreign workers in recent years, asserting that the wealth of Balochistan is being extracted without the consent or benefit of its people.

Additionally, the infrastructure situation in Balochistan remains dire, with poor road connectivity, unreliable electricity, inadequate health services, and a fragile education system. Despite being home to some of the richest mineral deposits in the region, Balochistan continues to be Pakistan’s most underdeveloped province.

This ongoing tension between federal ambitions of economic development through mineral exploration and local demands for autonomy and rights over resources continues to cast a long shadow over any optimism surrounding such major mining projects.

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