Gwadar: Karima Baloch, a former president of the Baloch Students Organisation (Azad) and human rights activist, was laid to rest in Tump, her native town near the Pakistan-Iran border, on Monday.

She was found dead in the Canadian city of Toronto two weeks ago. Karima had taken political asylum there. The Canadian police have ruled out foul play behind her death, saying she had died of natural causes.

The body was flown to Pakistan on Saturday and handed over to the family at Hub the following day.

Later the body was brought to Tump, a town in Kech district, by ambulance.

A large number of political leaders, workers, and members of civil society attended the funeral prayer.

Women activists belonging to different political parties were also present at the graveyard.

Relatives of the activist and political parties accused the district administration of blocking roads linking Tump with the rest of Makran division to deter people from attending Karima Baloch’s last rites.

“People were not allowed to proceed to Tump for attending the funeral,” a member of her family said.

But despite hurdles, a large number of people were present on the occasion, he added.

A shutdown was observed in Turbat district and other areas of Makran to mourn the death of Karima Baloch.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2021