Journalism is, no doubt, a threatening field. For the Baloch, it has been a black hole of unending risks, which results in only few journalists who understand the essence, purpose and true meaning of the noble profession of journalism, while lesser among them take the risk of the cost of their life to report on the human rights abuses in Balochistan – Standardizing the truth even more than their own blood.
Journalism is not terrorism, neither a crime so that one could condemn it. Instead, it is all about unveiling the concrete and harsh realities before the world. Any attack on a journalist is an attack on the democracy and truth.
Pakistan, which poses a ‘democratic status’ in the eyes of the world, threatens its citizens to think multiple times before preferring to speak the truth – for the journalists, specifically in Balochistan, the threat is even louder and harsher.
For over seven decades, journalists in Balochistan have passed through a tough time: daring to speak the truth, preferring to pose freedom but fearing the end of not only their life but their bloodline too. One journalist arises countless logical questions, compelling people to think, eventually, opening their eyes to the truth – something undesirable for the present regime in Pakistan.
The continuous brutal treatment of Pakistan giving its best to silence the truth is an extreme act of dehumanization and, in fact, in contradiction to the state’s own constitution. The recent examples of forced disappearances of Ahmed Noorani’s brother, Imran Riaz, Asad Toor, Waheed Murad and others are nothing but clear instances of how impartial journalism is even a threat in other parts of the country; one cannot imagine the level of risk back in Balochistan.
Journalists like Sajid Hussain Baloch, Razzaq Gul, Ilyas Nizar, Rashid Baloch and Munir Baloch have been Baloch journalists who faced oppression at its hardest form – just because of speaking for the truth in Balochistan.
The recent example of threats received by a Baloch journalist, Javed MB Baloch, based in Gowadar, is yet another shocking reminder of the risks of journalism in Balochistan. He receives Whatsapp messages and phone calls from an “unknown number” warning him to “get your shroud prepared” which is one more case study of suppressing the truth in the province.
The act of using force and intimidation to create an atmosphere of fear among the journalists to silence them from speaking the truth is nothing other than violating key constitutional provisions. Journalism, in any part of the world, is a very noble profession and is considered a key pillar of the government.
If intimidation remains the means of countering the truth in Pakistan, the voice will be as loud as it echoes across the world.
