JK News Today
Jammu, October 03: Dr. Mahrang Baloch , human rights activist and resistance leader against Pakistan’s oppression on the people of Balochistan has been named as Time magazine’s 2024 Time 100 Next list for advocating peacefully for Baloch rights.
This was a recognition of Mahrang Baloch’s struggle for Baloch people in Pakistan.
Baloch people in Balochistan and rest of Pakistan are subjected to untold miseries and atrocities by Pakistani establishment. They find their life uncertain as they have also been deprived of access to their natural resources.
The list showcases 100 young individuals “ who are not waiting long in life to make an impact “and includes artists , athletes and advocates . The magazine says the list aims “to recognize that influence does not have ( requirements)…. nor does leadership looks like it once did .”.
Dawn newspaper wrote , Time magazine selected Dr. Mahrang for her “ peaceful advocacy as well as her December 2023 march to Islamabad , where she and hundreds of women marched for ‘ justice for their husbands , sons and brothers”.
The march brought unprecedented attention to the Baloch struggle , and Mahrang believes the momentum she has built will carry on . “ There is a lot of threat. There is a lot of oppression ,” she says . “ Still …. We will struggle for humanity,” the magazine quoted her saying while outlining contours of her struggle and what she was up against in Pakistan .
“ For all the hope she represents , Mahrang Baloch is unsure if she’ll live to see a day when her community is no-longer in turmoil.,” noted the magazine .This underlined the uncertainty clouding the Baloch minority in Pakistan .
“ May be ,” the magazine quoted her saying . The magazine also noted that the 31-year-old doctor , who has been the target of harassment , arrests , and assassination attempts “ Our life is not certain in Pakistan.”
Over the past two decades, a state crackdown on an insurgency in the country’s Baloch minority has led to a widespread forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings – allegedly including that of Mahrang’s father , an activist whose body recovered in 2011, the magazine wrote while highlighting the struggle she is faced with.
Reacting on her recognition as one of the 100 most influential persons in Time Magazine , she wrote on X : “ I am deeply honoured and delighted to be named among the top 100 emerging leaders of the world by @ Time”. She dedicated her recognition “ to all Baloch women human rights defenders and families of victims of forcefully disappeared people”.
