KARACHI, March 22: The Baloch Rights Council, Karachi, has condemned the authorities’ attempts to demolish centuries-old Baloch Goth in the Old Golimar area. According to a BRC statement, the Baloch Goth is a regularized settlement with essential utilities made available to its residents by government agencies. The Goth exists since years before the creation of Pakistan. It argued that any action towards its demolition would, therefore, be a great injustice to its inhabitants.

The statement said: “We consider moves to demolish Baloch Goth part of a greater conspiracy having been hatched to evict Baloch people from their ancestral lands and we reserve the right to resist all such attempts, whether made in the name of development or any other pretext. We will in no way accept such an action and would resist it with all available means.”

Referring to press reports regarding demolition of various other old villages in the city, the BRC statement regretted that the higher authorities would not take a notice of such actions although this was creating harassment among the old populace of the city.

Calling upon the Sindh government to take a serious note of this disturbing situation, it demanded urgent directive to be issued for an immediate halt to the demolition of old settlements.

PPP RALLY: The Pakistan People’s Party, Karachi division, has announced that it would stage a rally near the Karachi Press Club at 3pm on March 25 against the demolition of villages in the city.

The party’s Karachi leadership held a meeting under the chairmanship of Rashid Rabbani and discussed the situation, as well as other issues.

The meeting condemned the ongoing military operation in Balochistan and called for the release of all detained Baloch leaders.

It also criticized the government for failing to check hike in prices of essential commodities.

BNP PROTEST: The Baloch National Movement has announced that it would observe a ‘black day’ on March 25 against the government’s anti-Baloch policies and the military operation in Balochistan.