Mahrang Baloch, a prominent female human rights activist hailing from Balochistan, Pakistan, passionately engages in the ongoing struggle against various forms of oppression in the region. Specifically, she dedicates her efforts to combating the pervasive issues of unlawfully enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings perpetrated by the authorities. Mahrang’s advocacy seeks to shed light on these grave human rights violations and foster awareness and change in the context of Balochistan’s challenging socio-political landscape.
Balochistan's Human Rights Advocate
Mahrang Baloch, born in 1993, comes from a Baloch Muslim family with deep roots in Kalat, Balochistan. She is one of six siblings, having five sisters and one brother. Professionally, she is a doctor. Her father, Abdul Gaffar Langove, held employment as a laborer at WAPDA and was initially a Baloch nationalist. However, he later took a militant path, becoming associated with the Balochistan Liberation Army, a terrorist organization operating through Afghanistan into Pakistani territory.
Mahrang’s family originally resided in Quetta but later moved to Karachi due to her mother’s medical needs, indicating the challenges and complexities they faced, both in terms of personal circumstances and the broader sociopolitical context of Balochistan.
A Resilient Advocate Against Injustice in Balochistan
On December 12, 2009, Mahrang’s father faced a tragic incident when he was forcibly abducted by Pakistan security forces while on his way to a Karachi hospital. Remarkably, at the young age of 16, Mahrang swiftly took up the cause, becoming a vocal protester against her father’s abduction and gaining prominence within the student resistance movement. The situation took a devastating turn in July 2011 when her father was discovered dead, showing distressing signs of torture.
In a cruel twist of fate, Mahrang’s family faced another ordeal in December 2017 when her brother was similarly abducted and held in detention for over three months. This distressing experience further fueled Mahrang’s dedication, solidifying her role as a prominent figure in the Baloch resistance movement.
Beyond her personal tragedies, Mahrang actively engages in broader activism against injustices in Balochistan. She strongly opposes the government’s exploitation of natural resources in the region. In 2020, she demonstrated leadership by leading a group of students in protesting the proposed removal of the quota system at Bolan Medical College. This system, designed to reserve spots for medical students from remote areas of the province, became a focal point of their activism. Through concerted efforts, including hunger strikes, Mahrang and her group successfully prevented the implementation of the proposed policy change, showcasing the impact of their advocacy.
Mahrang Baloch's Courageous Protest Against Injustice
The Balochistan to Islamabad Long March, commonly known as the Baloch Long March, stands as a compelling protest movement spearheaded by Mahrang Baloch alongside other Baloch women activists. Their collective endeavor involves a determined march towards Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, aimed at vehemently opposing human rights violations and the prevalent issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
This significant march is a direct response to the escalating instances of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings plaguing the Balochistan region. Mahrang Baloch and her fellow activists, through this courageous initiative, seek to bring attention to the urgent need for addressing these human rights abuses, advocating for justice, and urging authorities to put an end to the suffering endured by the people of Balochistan. The Balochistan to Islamabad Long March stands as a poignant symbol of resilience and a powerful call for change in the face of adversity.