The influence of narratives in times of information scarcity – Rizwan Baloch

Written By: Rizwan Baloch

The Power of Narratives in an Information Void When essential information is scarce, narratives fill the void—often shaped by those who stand to gain the most. As prominent author Mark Twain famously put it, “If you read the newspaper, you are misinformed, and if you don’t, you are uninformed.” This paradox captures the modern struggle with information absence and narrative control.

Similarly, Balochistan, a mineral-rich land with geostrategic importance, suffers from human rights infringements and a severe information void due to several determinants, including digital arrest, restricted media access, unavailability of digital infrastructure, and state-imposed restrictions on journalism. This has significant ramifications not only for governance and development but also for public awareness regarding the status quo.

In many instances, when one of the factions of the Baloch freedom fighters, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), hijacked a train carrying more than 400 military personnel and civilians, civilians were given safe passage.

On one side, according to a statement by BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch, during this strategic operation, they released women, children, and Baloch passengers, except for law enforcement personnel. The spokesman demanded the release of forcibly disappeared political workers, missing persons, and national resistance activists in exchange for the captured prisoners of war. Given the ultimatum of 48 hours, the BLA warned that any retaliation by the Pakistani army would result in the execution of the detained personnel. The BLA spokesman, Jeeyand Baloch, has also confirmed the martyrdom of three fighters who repulsed the ground and air forces while fighting.

On the other hand, Pakistani media outlets, officials, and cyber teams spread misinformation, claiming that hostages were rescued after successful operations against militants and that BLA combatants were eliminated. While disregarding the stark warning, the Pakistani army, along with propaganda teams and the political and media wings of the military establishment, launched multiple fronts against prominent human rights activists, including the Nobel Peace Prizenominee Dr Mahrang Baloch, demanding her condemnation and arrest.

Astonishingly, in the first hour of this hijacking, multiple times the Pakistani media, ISPR, and social media outlets claimed to have successfully completed the clearance operation and proclaimed that they had rescued all hostages by eliminating Baloch militants. As Jan Achakzai tweets on X, “successful operation by the security forces, more than three hundred fifty (350) passengers rescued. Nearly seventy (70) terrorists involved in the Jaffar Express attack have been killed.”

However, one of the released civilian hostages by Baloch fighters said the fighters who stayed after successfully hijacking the train were not more than five (5) or six (6).

According to an infographic report of The Balochistan Post, the total number of passengers onboard on sieged Jaffer Express train was 426—among them two hundred fourteen (214) wereserving army personnel, and two hundred twelve (212) civilian passengers were released byBaloch freedom fighters of BLA in the first hour of hijacking. The number of killed hostage personnel was sixty (60), and injured Pakistani personnel were more than sixty-three (63+). The remaining captives of the Pakistani army were one hundred fifty (150), and the rescued number of prisoners by the Pakistani army was zero (0). Three combatants of BLA have embraced martyrdom.

The fluctuating figures highlight the absence of accurate proliferation. Interestingly, the claims of BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch seem to be based on veracity and accuracy, whereas the figures released by the Ministry of Information, Jan Achakzai, ISPR, and social media outlets remain controversial and unverified.

Similarly, when the Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s (BYC) leadership organized the Baloch National Gathering under Mahrang Baloch’s leadership in Gwadar, state-backed groups deliberately proliferated various narratives—often influenced by misinformation and selective reporting. Officials like Jan Achakzai, Sarfraz Bugti, and certain journalists and media outlets condoned the cyber-propaganda teams that spread state narratives and misinformation related to missingpersons’ families and BYC leadership, particularly Mahrang Baloch.

“Those hoping to break the Baloch spirit should understand that the more they repress, the more we will resist. The more you repress, the more Karimas, Sammis, and Mahrangs you will have to face, and it is you who will eventually be defeated.” ___ Mohammad Ali Talpur

Nevertheless, the media landscape in Balochistan has been characterized by significant challenges: Threats and Intimidation: Journalists in Balochistan encounter threats from the state, leading to self-censorship and a lack of comprehensive reporting on the region’s issues. The Balochistan Union of Journalists has expressed profound concerns over the pressures faced by media practitioners, emphasizing the need for support from national and international media rights groups.

The Role of Social Media in Countering State Narratives

Since mainstream media is heavily controlled, Baloch activists and journalists have turned to social media to uncover human rights transgressions and counter-state propaganda. Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram enable activists to share real-time updates, document enforced disappearances, and mobilize support globally.

Several independent Baloch media organizations have played a critical role in this information war:

The Balochistan Post: This online news outlet provides in-depth coverage of events in Balochistan and focuses on issues often overlooked by national media, such as enforced disappearances and military operations. The Baloch Circle: A significant digital platform that amplifies the voices of Baloch activists, The Baloch Circle publishes reports, personal stories, and investigative pieces that expose human rights abuses, political repression, and the state’s role in enforced disappearances. Through social media, The Baloch Circle counteracts misinformation spread by state-controlled media, ensuring that narratives from the ground reach a wider audience.

Challenges and Impact

While social media offers a platform for dissenting voices, Baloch activists confront significant challenges, including digital surveillance, cyber-attacks, and the risk of arrest. Despite these obstacles, the continuous endeavors of individuals and independent media outlets have brought international attention to the plight of the Baloch people, unveiling and challenging state narratives and advocating for human rights and justice. Through the strategic use of social media and the dedication of independent platforms like TheBalochistan Post and The Baloch Circle, the Baloch community continues to resist information suppression, ensuring that their stories and struggles reach a global audience.