TORONTO: Karima Baloch, an activist who had spoken out about atrocities committed by the Pakistani army and government in Balochistan, was found dead in Toronto, Canada, according to the Balochistan Post.
Karima was a Canadian refugee and the BBC named her one of the 100 most “inspiring and influential” women in the world in 2016.
She had disappeared on Sunday and was last seen at approximately 3pm the same day. Toronto police had requested public assistance in locating her. However, now her family has confirmed that Karima’s body has been found.
Karima Baloch, a famous personality in Balochistan, is believed to be the pioneer of women’s activism there. He has also raised the issue of Balochistan at the United Nations sessions in Switzerland.
In an interview in May 2019, he accused Pakistan of taking away the resources and wiping out the people of Baluchistan, the province with immense geostrategic importance and huge reserves of untapped natural resources.
Balochistan Post said the activist’s sudden death has raised great concern.
This is not the first case in which a Pakistani dissident has been found dead. In May, Baloch journalist Sajid Hussain was found dead in Sweden. He had been missing from the city of Uppsala since March 2.
Dissidents and critics of the Pakistani authorities, living in exile, are in constant fear, as criticism of the military in Pakistan has always been frowned upon. The agencies harass people who criticize the military and its policies.
Baluchistan is a troubled province where the Pakistani army is accused of committing serious human rights violations, including the kidnapping and murder of innocents.
Resource-rich Balochistan has been plagued by an insurgency for more than 15 years. Family members and relatives of Baloch political leaders and workers had always faced barbarism and state brutality in Balochistan.
There have been several cases in which Pakistani security forces carry out operations in individual homes, physically assault innocent women and children, and rely on extrajudicial death squads to subjugate Baloch civilians.
Thousands of Baloch political activists to avoid persecution escaped from Baluchistan and are forced to seek asylum in European counties; Journalists and human rights activists are among these asylum seekers.
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