“Balochistan is an occupied territory, and its people have been deprived of basic rights”

Marino said, “First and foremost, Balochistan is not just a region of Pakistan. It became a part of Pakistan through deceit. In fact, Balochistan is an occupied territory which has been illegally occupied by force.”

He explained that the fraud began when Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who served as Kalat Khan's legal advisor during negotiations with the British for the state's independence, betrayed that trust. Pakistani forces subsequently entered Kalat, and forced Khan to sign an accession document – ​​using force.

At the time, Kalat was a constitutional monarchy, and even though the Khan signed under duress, the signature had no legal significance. The decision required parliamentary ratification, which the Assembly rejected twice before it was dissolved.

Merino further addressed the situation in Balochistan, saying: “Over the past few years, as is often the case, the people have reacted, and this is the fifth time that an insurgency has erupted in Balochistan. It started in 2007 when Nawab Akbar Bugti, a leader of the eighties who was practically inactive, was killed by General Musharraf's men. He was hiding in a cave and was accused of leading a rebellion. His body was never returned to his family – only his glasses and wristwatch, which remained intact despite the bombing.

Focusing on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – often lauded by Pakistan and China for promoting economic growth – he said, “CPEC is a turning point. Gwadar, which he calls the 'new Dubai' Say, Gwadar has become a playground for the elite, while the Baloch have been excluded from development, denied access to clean water, fishing and basic freedoms, its future military isolated from the rest. And will be shaped by a mix of Chinese interests.

He stressed that Chinese investments in Balochistan's Sendak and Reko Diq mines have exploited local resources, while infrastructure has been built primarily to serve Chinese interests, depriving the local population of basic benefits. Has occurred. Has occurred.

Despite documented human rights abuses, Marino said Pakistan faces little international pressure due to geopolitical considerations. “What is more worrying is that this 'Balochistan recipe' has now been applied to other regions of Pakistan as well,” he said, referring to similar repression in the Pashtun, Sindhi and Kashmiri regions.

He concluded by urging the international community to hold Pakistan accountable: “The only solution is to hold Pakistan accountable under international law, which should apply equally to all states,” he said, calling for global attention to the current conflicts. Called for. Baluchistan. Underlined the urgent need.