Human rights activist and prominent Pakistani dissident Karima ‘Baloch’ Mehrab has been laid to rest in her home village of southwestern Balochistan, but family members say they were stopped from attending her funeral by local military.
The manner in which the authorities have attempted to foil the funeral arrangements for activist #KarimaBaloch is disgraceful and, regrettably, mirrors the state's attitude towards Balochistan and its people. pic.twitter.com/bpyBoFc2Ln
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) January 26, 2021
For several years now, Balochistan has seen a growing human rights movement, with protestors complaining of discrimination and demanding better access to the province’s resources and wealth.
As a student, Karima was a well known leader in the Baloch separatist movement which calls for the independence of Pakistan’s southwestern province. She fled to Canada in 2015 after terror charges were laid against her by the state.
Karima continued to be a vocal critic of the Pakistani military and state after she arrived in Canada, organizing local rallies with childhood friend Lateef Johar Baloch.
“She was the person, she brought thousands of women and girls into the streets, into politics, into social activities…she was a hero for the people,” Johar said.
“She was a very brave woman. She challenged not only the Pakistani army violating our social and political rights in Balochistan, but also the so-called conservative norms.”
Part one of OMNI Punjabi’s interview with Lateef Johar Baloch
In an interview with OMNI Television, Johar said Karima continued to receive threats against her life even in her new home, and believes what happened to her is a direct result of the threat she posed to the Pakistani government for her outspoken views against them.
Karima was reported missing on December 21st and her body was found just a day later near Toronto’s downtown waterfront. While Toronto Police said her death appeared “non-criminal” with no foul play suspected, many continue to call for a full investigation into her disappearance.
The circumstances have been investigated and officers have determined this to be a non-criminal death and no foul play is suspected.
We have updated the family.— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) December 23, 2020
Several Pakistani journalists and activists — including one of Karima’s uncles — have reportedly been targeted for their work both in Pakistan and abroad in recent months, either abducted or found dead.
Karima’s family and supporters are not alone in their frustrations with Toronto Police. Major organizations including Amnesty International and the Baloch Human Rights Council have continued to call for a full investigation into Karima’s death.
“We have been trying to reach out to the Canadian government and some other security agencies,” Johar said.
“They are saying that they are investigating the issue and looking at every aspect of what happened to her, the threats from Pakistani security forces, threats online.”
#KarimaBaloch’s body was reportedly found by the Harbourfront after she was reported missing by family on Sunday.
While Toronto Police say it appears non-criminal, @amnestysasia, @HRCBalochistan and many Canadian politicians are calling for a full investigation into her death. pic.twitter.com/AkC1ffAnjw
— OMNI Television (@OMNITelevision) December 23, 2020
The process of laying their loved one to rest hasn’t been an easy task either. Family members say Baloch’s body was sent to Karachi with plans to transport her to their hometown in the Balochistan province for burial. When her body arrived, Pakistani forces reportedly took possession of her remains with the promise of safely transporting her to family in Karachi themselves. According to members of Baloch’s family, they were never able to attend the funeral service, with the Pakistani army reportedly cordoning off her entire village from all sides to bar anyone from paying their respects.
Johar said despite the regime’s best efforts to ruin the funeral, they will never be able to stop her legacy.
“Pakistani military was afraid that if people see her body or attend her funeral maybe there would be lots or problems for them,” Johar said.
“But they were wrong. Still, even though they didn’t allow people to attend her body, see her, still, thousands of people all across Balochistan came together and paid tribute to her.”
While there still has been no official statement from the Pakistani government, video footage circulating on social media shows soldiers turning back several mourners who can be heard asking to pay their last respects to Karima.
Footage of post-funeral service provided to OMNI Television
