The Baloch American Congress (BAC) Saturday paid tributes to tens of thousands of Baloch who laid down their lives for Balochistan since the Pakistan army’s forcible occupation of Balochistan on March 27, 1948.
“On that dark day, Pakistan military illegally annexed Balochistan against the popular aspirations of the Baloch people,” said Dr. Tara Chand, president of the BAC.
“The world must never forget what Pakistan army did to Balochistan is no different to what the Russian army is doing to Ukraine today. A forced annexation and military occupation is never accepted by any nation in whether it’s Europe or Asia.”Dr. Tara Chand said Baloch people have risen up in arms against the Pakistan military not once but five times since then.
“Even today Baloch youths are struggling to get back what rightfully belongs to them, their occupied homeland. Pakistan military and intelligence services have not only killed upwards of 20,000 Baloch people but have also disappeared tens of thousands of Baloch activists and in fact, people from all walks of life who were demanding their right to the pursuit of happiness.
Dr. Tara Chand requested U.S. lawmakers to focus on the issue of Balochistan if they consider the Persian Gulf an area of vital American interests.
“Time is now for the U.S. leadership to adopt Baloch as a partner in southwest Asia,” he emphasized.
Dr. Tara Chand, a former government minister in Balochistan, said he is confident the Baloch people will prevail despite the adversity because that is what history has taught us: the desire for freedom can never be crushed.