Pakistan: Hospitals Under Siege – OpEd

The recent violent assault on a civilian hospital in Quetta by members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has laid bare the deep connections between the group and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The attack, reportedly incited by Mahrang Baloch, was aimed at forcefully seizing the dead bodies of BLA terrorists responsible for the brutal Jafar Express attack, an incident that claimed the lives of innocent civilians. This act of aggression against a medical facility not only exposes BYC’s overt alignment with a proscribed terrorist organization but also highlights its disregard for human rights and ethical boundaries.

The Jafar Express attack was a tragic event that underscored the persistent threat of terrorism in Pakistan. The BLA orchestrated a massacre targeting innocent passengers, causing widespread horror and grief. Instead of condemning this ruthless act, BYC, under the influence of Mahrang Baloch, focused its energy on reclaiming the bodies of the very perpetrators responsible for the carnage. This raises an essential question: why did BYC not mobilize its efforts to prevent the Jafar Express attack or rescue innocent civilians? The answer is simple—because their allegiance lies with the BLA, not the common Baloch people.

Mahrang Baloch, who has portrayed herself as a human rights activist and a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize, has now been implicated in an assault on a civilian hospital. Such an act contradicts the very essence of human rights advocacy. The attack terrorized patients, including those in critical care and emergency wards, and resulted in the harassment of medical professionals. Hospital staff, already working under challenging conditions, found themselves subjected to verbal abuse and physical intimidation. This blatant act of violence against healthcare workers and patients is a gross violation of international human rights laws and deserves unequivocal condemnation from global human rights organizations.

It is crucial to acknowledge the calculated nature of BYC’s actions. The group did not stage a protest at the scene of the Jafar Express attack to demand justice for the slain civilians. Instead, they orchestrated an aggressive raid on a hospital, demonstrating that their priority was not the well-being of ordinary Baloch citizens but the retrieval of their militant allies’ bodies. This further solidifies the argument that BYC and Mahrang Baloch are not advocates for human rights but rather apologists for a terrorist organization that has inflicted untold suffering on the people of Balochistan.

The hospital attack is not an isolated incident. Over the years, BYC has systematically attempted to blur the lines between activism and extremism. Their actions reveal a pattern of shielding terrorist elements while masquerading as a civil rights movement. The recent assault on the hospital was not just about reclaiming dead bodies; it was a direct challenge to state authority, an attempt to glorify terrorism, and a deliberate effort to fuel unrest in Balochistan. It is a well-orchestrated campaign to create chaos and present Pakistan as a state that suppresses its people while conveniently ignoring the reality of terrorism in the province.

Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies have exercised considerable restraint despite repeated provocations. However, the Quetta hospital attack is a tipping point that necessitates decisive action. The state cannot afford to allow groups like BYC to operate under the guise of activism while engaging in activities that threaten national security. Firm legal measures should be taken to hold those responsible for the attack accountable, ensuring that such incidents do not become a recurring menace.

Balochistan has long struggled with terrorism, and groups like the BLA have exploited local grievances to further their agenda. The province deserves development, peace, and integration into Pakistan’s broader economic progress, not further division and conflict. The people of Balochistan must recognize that entities like BYC do not represent their interests; rather, they exploit their struggles for political and militant gains. The youth of Balochistan must reject such influences and focus on education, economic empowerment, and constructive engagement with the state to build a prosperous future.

The attack on the Quetta hospital has exposed the undeniable link between BYC and the BLA, highlighting how so-called activists are operating as enablers of terrorism. Mahrang Baloch’s role in inciting this violence should serve as a wake-up call for those who have uncritically supported her narrative. True human rights advocacy does not involve storming hospitals, harassing doctors, or shielding terrorists—it involves standing for justice, peace, and the protection of innocent lives. The state must now take firm action against those who orchestrated this attack, ensuring that the principles of law and order are upheld in Balochistan. The people deserve security, not the anarchy that groups like BYC seek to impose.