21 October,2025 03:29 PM IST | London | mid-day online correspondent
Members of the Baloch diaspora in the United Kingdom hold a protest outside 10 Downing Street, London. Pic/X
Members of the Baloch diaspora in the United Kingdom (UK) held a protest outside 10 Downing Street, London, strongly condemning the ongoing military offensives carried out by the Pakistani state in Balochistan, particularly highlighting the recent escalation of violence in the Zehri region of Khuzdar district, news agency ANI reported.
The protesters assembled to draw global attention to the "systematic campaign of state violence" against Baloch civilians. Holding placards and raising slogans, they denounced Pakistan's military operations and drone attacks, which have reportedly resulted in the deaths of numerous innocent civilians, including women and children.
The Zehri region has recently emerged as a hotspot, amid reports of intensified military aggression by the Pakistan Army. The protesters claimed that villages have been raided, homes set on fire, and unarmed civilians targeted under the pretext of anti-insurgency operations.
"This protest is not just about one region, it's about decades of brutality," said one of the protesters, adding, "But what's happening in Zehri right now is a humanitarian crisis. Children are being killed, families are being displaced, and the world remains silent."
Addressing the gathering, Baloch activist Mansoor Baloch said, "We are all here in front of the British Prime Minister's office, all the brothers, sisters and children, to raise our voice against Pakistan because the Pakistani military has occupied Balochistan illegally. Recently, on the 5th of October, they occupied one of the most important areas in Balochistan called Derry, and they killed so many children as well."
He also called the Pakistani Army and its intelligence agency, the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) "terrorist organisations". Mansoon Baloch called upon the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the United States to exert pressure on Pakistan to "stop military operations, stop abductions, stop torture, and stop the Baloch genocide in Balochistan", ANI reported.
According to him, in the past two decades, thousands of Baloch civilians have been killed and around 25,000 remain in Pakistani custody.
"They are abducting innocent civilians and labelling them terrorists," he stated, adding, "Baloch are not terrorists; we are fighting for our basic rights. This is not a crime. Pakistan is committing crimes against humanity by killing innocent Baloch civilians."
Speaking about the recent protests in Balochistan, Mansoor Baloch mentioned that security forces had opened fire on demonstrators who were demanding the release of missing persons.
"A 12-year-old boy was killed in front of Baloch mothers and sisters," he said, condemning the continuing violence.
The protesters appealed to the UK government and British Parliament to reconsider their policy towards Pakistan, reported ANI.
"Do not support Pakistan. Support the Baloch people because Pakistan is a terrorist state," Mansoor Baloch asserted, adding, "We demand the UK government to pressurise Pakistan. The Baloch are asking for their rights and freedom. It's not a crime."
"Other countries have achieved their freedom, and we Baloch are human beings too. We need our freedom from Pakistan because Pakistan illegally occupied Balochistan. The British government must intervene to support the Baloch in their struggle for independence," he further stated.
The demonstration, according to organisers, is part of a larger international campaign to amplify the voices of those in Balochistan who have long been neglected by the global community.
"We are standing here today to be the voice of the voiceless," the protesters stressed. "The people of Balochistan deserve justice, dignity, and peace."
(With ANI inputs)
