Balochistan-Sitting on Islamic bomb and environmental disaster

Balochistan, once an independent entity ruled by the 'Khan of Kalat', was forcefully occupied by Pakistan Army in 1947. It violated all international norms of sovereignty and human rights. Continuous freedom struggle by Baloch National Army have so far claimed lives of thousands of innocent civilians including women and children who have been butchered by Pakistan Army. Balochistan freedom movement has intensified after the brutal killing of tribal chief Akbar Khan Bugti in 2006. Pakistan Army has been committing genocide in Balochistan area to facilitate China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and also infusing Islamic terrorism into secular fabrics of world’s oldest civilization of Balochistan.

Balochistan is extremely rich in gas, oil and mineral resources which have been exploited by Pakistan. However, people of Balochistan have been alienated from the mainstream. Balochistan has also strategic significance as far as Pakistan national security is concerned, a large percentage of Pakistan 's nuclear stockpiles are hidden in this region. Pakistan has conducted nuclear tests using old technologies, inferior safety equipment and standards. Thus the region still remains affected by residual radiations post-nuclear tests of 1998.

Pakistan has constructed hardened secure underground complex in Balochistan at Khuzdar, Kori and Kenji in the foothills of Barugh mountains, to serve as ballistic missile and nuclear warhead storage sites with the aim of having counterforce nuclear strike capabilities and utilizing aggressive nuclear brinkmanship in domains of diplomacy. These facilities have come up in an earthquake-prone zone in the mountains of Baluchistan causing added concern for environmental catastrophe. People of Balochistan have already started an agitation to make Balochistan nuclear-free zone due to security, environmental concerns and fear of nuclear arsenal falling in hands of non-state actors.

Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) held simultaneous protests against testing and stockpiling of nuclear weapons in different cities of the world on 28 May 2018 and highlighted the threat of stockpiling of nuclear weapons to people of Balochistan. Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in the heart of Balochistan's Chagai district without the consent of Baloch people. The residual contamination due to blast at Ras Koh Hills forming part of the Sulaiman Mountain Range in the Chagai District of Balochistan province has caused diseases like lung, liver, blood cancer, skin diseases as well as serious effects on nervous system and newborn babies. Atrocities of Pakistan Army on Baloch people have been also highlighted during the protests.

A vast area in Balochistan has been contaminated with nuclear radiation toxins due to inferior safety safeguards. With apprehension of rogues getting nuclear weapons and emerging environmental hazeds; nuclear weapons of Pakistan are becoming a threat to people of Balochistan.

Balochistan's freedom movement and environmental concerns of nuclear contamination have remained unexposed due to Pak Army pressures, regional dynamics and Indian reticence. Balochistan holds the potential to emerge as flashpoint involving India, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, China, USA and Russia. It is time for India and rest of the world to play a crucial role in raising voice against the Human Right violations and environmental dangers of nuclear contamination and stockpiling in Balochistan.