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#Thread #IronLadiesOfBalochistan
“Your silence means you have a bias toward what State is doing in Balochistan – You Keep quiet & they will keep it happening. You cannot stop what they are doing with our women, kids, & children. But you can expose it by breaking Your silence”.
“Your silence means you have a bias toward what State is doing in Balochistan – You Keep quiet & they will keep it happening. You cannot stop what they are doing with our women, kids, & children. But you can expose it by breaking Your silence”.
These were the last words conveyed to me by #KarimaBaloch through a mutual friend lately. I had a long talk with her 4-years ago when I was working on this report. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/04/balochistan-pakistan-information-black-hole.
I am not silent today, dear Karima. But I never thought I would have to break this deep silence after your soul had walked through a field of flowers. You had left an unflinching legacy. @MahrangBaloch5, @SeemaBaluch, and @BibiGulBaluch now lead that.
What makes iron ladies of #Balochistan different from the rest of Pakistan? They all are from middle-class or lower-middle-class families. These women come from diverse and mostly patriarchal societies. They saw their loved ones have died or picked-up
and then started struggling their ways into fulfilling a dream of realizing a peaceful and equal society for everyone. Oppression, brutalities, and injustices sparked their interest in a revolution. These women sat new trends and values in Baloch politics by defying traditions
They have changed the face of politics in Balochistan and in the region and have set a new political atmosphere. These included their campaign against enforced disappearances, injustices, brutal military operations, mass exodus, the unequal share of powers, and exploitation.
Their struggle marked the beginning of a nonviolent revolution in Pakistan. Unfortunately, they are faced with an eternal and challenging conflict. These women deal with serious security, financial, misogynist, and traditional schoolers. Their life is full heart-wrenching stories
Bibi had lost two young brothers. Seema is fighting extreme poverty for her family. During her stay in Quetta last winter, against enforced disappearances, she would eat one meal a day. Karima was always vulnerable and exposed to threats when she led rallies or travelled
“How can this movement survive; how can we get our beloved ones freed when we are feeling threatened? I stay here; I will campaign for them,” she told me in 2014.
Mah Rang spends her nights and evening in a tent in the freezing weather of Quetta. They are cold and do not have proper covers. She does not sleep in a Bungalow on a plush mattress. She cooks her meal over a fire and still uses a tiny blank shawl to keep herself warm.
Gul is coping with the unexpected deaths of her young brothers. Karima fled to Canada when her home was attacked. She lost many of her relatives. A friend says: “Everything she and her family owned was destroyed.” But to achieve their objectives, they are determent"
“The greatest and most powerful revolutions often start very quietly, hidden in the shadows. Remember that.” Abandoned by civilized and democratic nations, the world must listen to these secular and revolutionary voices. #TributeToKarimaBaloch #Balochistan
