Quetta: Baloch Students Front Condemns Crackdown on Baloch Students in Universities

Quetta:The central spokesperson of the Baloch Students Front (BSF) strongly condemned what he called systematic injustices against Baloch students in universities across Balochistan. He emphasized that education is a constitutional and fundamental right of every citizen, meant to enlighten students, shape the nation’s future, and make them aware of their rights. However, instead of providing this basic right, he said, educational institutions have been turned into “centers of fear, coercion, and suffocation” for Baloch students.

The spokesperson expressed deep concern over recent incidents at the Lasbela University of Water and Marine Sciences (LUWMS), where a peaceful academic and literary study circle organized by BSF was allegedly disrupted by heavy police deployment. He added that police attempted baton charges, while several students, including central and zonal members of BSF, were suspended without justification. Some students were forcibly removed from classes and warned to vacate hostels, which the organization strongly condemned.

He further stated that academic and literary activities of Baloch students were being deliberately sabotaged. He cited the disruption of a commemorative program on the second death anniversary of renowned Baloch poet Mubarak Qazi as an example, during which suspensions were enforced. BSF alleged that even students sitting in protest camps were detained, and when students held a political rally, they were fired upon, leaving one student seriously injured.

Similarly, the spokesperson accused the administration of the Balochistan University of Engineering and Information Technology (Khuzdar) of using repressive tactics to deprive Baloch students of education and political or literary activities. He said dozens of students were being suspended without reason, expelled from hostels, and denied basic facilities. Peaceful protests for constitutional rights, he claimed, were being met with further harassment and repression.

The statement concluded by condemning the suspension of students, hostel eviction threats, profiling, and harassment as highly unacceptable. BSF demanded that the administrations of LUWMS and BUET Khuzdar end policies that deprive Baloch students of their right to education and ensure freedom for their academic, political, and literary activities.