Baloch, Sindhi groups in UK protest ChinaPak corridor
Activists say $46bn project commits human rights violations
Activists of UK-based Baloch and Sindhi groups held a demonstration against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and human rights violations outside the Chinese embassy here, demanding the $46-billion project be called off.
World Sindhi Congress chairman Lakhumal Luhana told HT the massive trade and transit project was responsible for “gross human rights violations”.
“It is a matter of life and death for us,” Luhana said, adding there were no plans for rehabilitating thousands of people displaced by the CPEC. The project is being imposed by Islamabad but could not materialise without the people’s consent, he said.
Sunday’s protest at Portland Place – the latest of several in Pakistan and elsewhere in recent weeks – was organised by the World Sindhi Congress, Sindhi Baloch Forum, Baloch National Movement, Baloch Republican Party, Baloch Human Rights Council-UK, Baloch Students and Youth Association and Baloch Students Organisation.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Balochistan” and “Kadam badhao Modiji hum tumhare saath hain” were some slogans shouted during the protest. The protesters also shouted slogans like “No to CPEC” and “Hai haq humara aazadi”, ANI said.
The CPEC, considered a part of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative, covers Balochistan and Sindh provinces and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India has formally opposed the CPEC because it runs through PoK.
The activists said the project was causing damage to the environment and would not benefit the people of the region. Holding placards, they alleged Balochistan’s abundant resources were being diverted for the benefit of Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province. A memorandum opposing the CPEC was sent by post to the Chinese embassy before the demonstration. It described Balochistan as an “occupied territory” and said the CPEC is aimed at “bringing demographic changes” in the province by settling 2.5 million people from other parts of Pakistan.