28th May: The Day Pakistan Lost Balochistan – Nadir Baloch

Nuclear tests killed Ras Koh but opened a window to the world to see Balochistan. This killing of Baloch Land with nuclear bombs brought consideration to Balochistan and its geography. The Ras Koh is a Part of the Chagai Hills forming part of the Sulaiman Mountain Range. The word, Ras Koh means “Way to the Mountains.” Pakistan’s nuclear tests were carried out in Occupied territory, on 28th May 1998. This was the Day when “Pakistan Lost Balochistan”. The nuclear tests were conducted in a series at the Chagai test site. The tests further heightened the tensions between The Baloch Nation and Pakistan, starting a nuclear arms race in the region.

Samar Mubarakmand, a senior Pakistani scientist said, everybody, was raising the slogan: “Allah-o-Akbar” when the tests were successful. The same slogan is chanted by ISIS and other Pakistan-based terrorist groups. It shows the religious motive, behind the nuclear blasts. Pakistan was made on religious-biased hateful ideology against, other religions and mankind. It has been, always a haven for terrorists from all around the world, with military logistic and political support. This garrison state is always a threat to the world religious outfits and banned extremist organisations can take over control of the nuclear arsenal with the help of inside support in the military.

According to reports of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), they were able to estimate the yield of the Pakistani tests, it ranged from nine to 12 kilotons for the first series of explosions, and from four to six kilotons for the single explosion.

As a result of the explosions, Ras Koh and Chagai hills turned into ashes, and humans and animals were ‘ dying like flies”. Millions of livestock died in deserts. Farming and agriculture were destroyed. Those who left alive migrated and reached large cities, where young girls and women were sold in open markets for food and bread. This was another turning point for the nationalist forces active in Baloch politics to start the 5th Baloch Insurgency against Pakistani occupation to save their Mother Land from further exploitation.

Pakistani tests broke the de facto moratorium on nuclear testing. The UN Security Council firmly condemned Pakistan by unanimously adopting Resolution 1172 on 6 June 1998. The resolution recognized a threat to international peace and security. Pakistan was later accused of selling nuclear technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea. In 2004, The incident led to UN Security Council Resolution 1540, UN Charter to take and enforce effective measures against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries in the world, with continuous threats of nuclear war in South Asia. The irresponsible attitude of the Pakistani government in supporting terrorists against neighbouring countries, and its army’s involvement in gross human rights violations against oppressed nations has given momentum to National movements. The fall of this nuclear state-sponsoring terror is a serious concern to the international community.

The Security Council should disarm Pakistan from its nukes as it has been involved in illegally transferring it to other countries, like North Korea.

Additionally, cases of cancer and skin diseases are very common in the local population of the test site, UN should visit the region to investigate these cases and help the people of Balochistan get rid of this rogue state and its military objective of terrorism and imperialism.

Note: This article was published on May 28, 2018, in the Balochistan Post.