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Baloch Movement Warns US: $1.25B Pakistan Aid Fuels Genocide

The Baloch National Movement has raised a serious alarm over new US financial support for Pakistan. They argue that any economic partnership with Islamabad directly fuels human rights abuses against the Baloch people. The group warns this funding will lead to more military camps, disappearances, and resource exploitation. They urge the US to reconsider and not empower Pakistan's oppression.

Key Points: BNM Slams US EXIM Bank $1.25B Pakistan Reko Diq Funding

  • BNM says US funding will intensify military actions and forced displacement in Balochistan
  • Warns financial aid directly results in more enforced disappearances of Baloch people
  • Claims partnership strengthens Pakistan's systematic plunder of Baloch natural resources
  • Asserts US support undermines the Baloch national movement for liberation
3 min read

BNM raises alarm over US EXIM Bank's $1.25 billion support for Pakistan's Reko Diq mining project

Baloch National Movement warns US financing for Pakistan's Reko Diq project will worsen human rights abuses, disappearances, and resource plunder in Balochistan.

"EXIM’s financing is nothing less than providing oxygen to Pakistan’s occupation and the ongoing genocide of the Baloch nation. - Qazi Dad Mohammad Rehan, BNM Spokesperson"

Quetta, Dec 12

The Baloch National Movement (BNM) expressed deep concern over the United States EXIM Bank’s decision to extend $1.25 billion in financing support to Pakistan for the Reko Diq mining project in Balochistan, warning that any form of financial assistance to Islamabad would worsen the human rights abuses faced by the Baloch people.

According to BNM’s spokesperson Qazi Dad Mohammad Rehan, the recently announced partnership between EXIM Bank, US authorities, and Pakistan violates global norms and basic human conscience.

“We have serious and fundamental reservations about this move. We have repeatedly made it clear that any form of financial assistance or economic partnership with Pakistan directly results in further genocide of the Baloch nation, enforced disappearances, and the systematic plunder of our natural resources,” Rehan stated.

The BNM spokesperson asserted that the new US economic package of $1.25 billion for Pakistan will, under the guise of "so-called development" in Balochistan, strengthen projects that will inevitably lead to “intensified military actions, forced displacement of local populations, and an accelerated and more severe takeover of Baloch resources”.

He stated that the US, having fought its own struggle against colonial oppression and being well aware of the historical consequences of suppressing national liberation movements, should understand the implications of such a partnership.

“Despite the imbalance of power, every national movement in history has resisted external domination until its rightful national and historic objectives were achieved. This partnership with Pakistan effectively undermines the Baloch national movement and reinforces state repression,” the spokesperson stressed.

Rehan further stated that American financial support will ultimately contribute to the construction of more military camps and checkpoints in Balochistan, the expansion of surveillance infrastructure, the exploitation of natural resources, and efforts to crush Baloch resistance.

“In these circumstances, EXIM’s financing is nothing less than providing oxygen to Pakistan’s occupation and the ongoing genocide of the Baloch nation,” he emphasised.

Highlighting the atrocities in Balochistan, the spokesperson further said, “Before celebrating attractive investment prospects in Balochistan, the United States must confront its own conscience and values.”

“Thousands of Baloch youth are suffering in secret Pakistan Army detention centres under inhumane conditions, while thousands of mothers and sisters have turned into living embodiments of grief as they wait endlessly for their loved ones. In such a situation, US assistance does not heal the wounds of the Baloch nation — it deepens them,” he added.

The BNM expressed hope that the American conscience will stand against Pakistan’s oppression instead of “empowering it in the name of investment.”

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While I understand the BNM's concerns about human rights, isn't development funding also necessary for economic growth? Maybe the US should have attached strict human rights conditions to this loan. A complete boycott might hurt the very people they want to help.
V
Vikram M
The spokesperson is absolutely right. Pakistan has a long record of exploiting Baloch resources and suppressing their voice. The world turns a blind eye for geopolitical reasons. The US talks about human rights but its actions in South Asia always have a different motive. Shameful.
P
Priyanka N
It's heartbreaking to read about the mothers and sisters waiting. No amount of mineral wealth is worth this suffering. The international community needs to put pressure on Pakistan for accountability, not fund more projects that lead to militarization. My heart goes out to the Baloch people.
R
Rahul R
From an Indian security perspective, this is concerning. Any financial strengthening of Pakistan directly or indirectly impacts the region's stability. The money might be for a mine, but it frees up other resources for their army. The US should reconsider.
M
Michael C
The article presents one side strongly. Is there any guarantee that stopping this funding will improve the human rights situation? Sometimes engagement is better than isolation. But the reports of disappearances are indeed very troubling and need independent investigation.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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