Press Release

Dated: 25 february 2009

Murderous Attack on Prominent Baloch intellectual/writer Waja Jan Mohammad Dashti

In a joint statement Baloch and Sindhi human rights advocacy organisations based in the UK, Balochistan Human Rights Council (BHRC), World Sindhi Congress (WSC), Balochistan Action Committee and Sindhi Baloch Forum, have strongly condemned the coward murderous attack on Waja Jan Mohammad Dashti. Mr. Dashti is in a critical state in a hospital in Karachi. Mr. Jan Mohammad Dashti is the most prominent Baloch intellectual, writer and owner of the Asaap group of publications. Mr. Dashti is the writer of more than a dozen books on Baloch socio-political issues in English and Balochi.

Balochistan is under a brutal military operation since last five years in which a large number of prominent social, intellectual and political figures has been targeted and eliminated by the state security agencies of Pakistan. Asaap newspaper during these very hard times has steadfastly stood against the gross violations of human rights of the Baloch people and always presented a balanced view on social, political, cultural, economic and human right issues of Baloch people and Balochistan. The state establishment of Pakistan has always remained very keen to silence this voice of reason raised for the genuine rights of the Baloch people.

We are aware that recently Mr. Dashti was threatened of dire consequences if the Asaap Group of publications continued its policies of exposing the atrocities committed by the agencies, who we believe, are responsible for this dastardly act on Mr. Dashti’s life.

The Baloch and Sindhi organisations have resolved that this issue will be raised in the UN and with relevant authorities in the UK and Europe to highlight the atrocities committed by the Pakistani army and secret agencies and to protect the lives of the vocal representatives of human rights of the Baloch people.


Baloch Human Rights Council
London
Info_bhrc@yahoo.co.uk