𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐲: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐲 𝐐𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧

𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥

A state is judged not merely by the enemies it confronts, but by the values it chooses to uphold while confronting them. When military operations begin to cast a shadow over civilian lives and sacred spaces, the debate is no longer confined to security, it becomes a question of morality, legitimacy, and the very principles upon which the state claims to stand.

The helicopter shelling in Kand Umrani, Khadkocha, Mastung, on Friday 17th July of 2026 morning has once again brought these questions to the forefront. The operation was described by the Pakistani state as one targeting Baloch insurgents. Yet local residents witnessed that the shelling struck civilian areas, including a mosque, damaging the building, surrounding infrastructure, and religious books like Holly Quran kept inside. The Baloch people resisted these crimes and in reaction protested against it, the shutter-down strike also observed in the area, reflected not only anger but also a profound sense of resistance.

Pakistan repeatedly presents itself as an Islamic Republic, a state created upon principles derived from Islam. But in reality, it has been a big foe of the religion, proved in past criminal history in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where she continues to violate and disrespect the holy faiths of the population. Mosques are not ordinary structures, they are among the most sacred places in Islam, symbolizing worship, unity, and peace. The Holy Quran and other religious texts are revered by Muslims as deserving the highest respect. But Pakistan’s military operations result in damage to such places or materials, the burden lies squarely on this colonial state to acknowledge the contradiction behind its claim of being an Islamic state.

The concern extends beyond a single incident. Similar incidents have surfaced over the years in several areas of Kech, including Mand, Buleda, and Dasht, as well as in other parts of Balochistan, including Noshki, Awaran, and Khuzdar. The rogue state is involved in bombardment of sacred places, burning Holy Quran and promoting sectarian violence in Balochistan. The Baloch people, under the barbaric rule of Pakistan, have consistently questioned its claim to be an Islamic republic, as this brutal state has never met the criteria of being genuinely Islamic. This unnatural state is merely a puppet of capitalist powers that seeks to conceal its crimes while falsely portraying itself as Islamic. Moreover, Pakistan has repeatedly provided space for religious extremism by supporting extremist groups and internationally designated terrorist’s, something that has become evident to the world on numerous occasions.

There is a complete contradiction between the claim and actions of this state which is impossible to ignore. How can a state invoke Islam as a defining element of its state existence while damage to mosques during its own military operations continues to emerge? Islamic values are seemed to guide governance in Pakistan but it appears as its institutions don’t care about the religious values in their actions but show brutal behaviour even in the most sacred places. This state proves itself to be Islamic merely in speeches, diplomatic forums, or in constitutional provisions but in reality, its rule has been the worst for Muslims also. No one is safe under its rule, from being Muslims to being part of other religions, this state has been a hell for everyone surviving here.

The issue before Pakistan is therefore larger than Kand Umrani. It is about whether this state is genuinely Islamic or truly represents Muslims and how it has been treating the people under its rule. Such incidents clearly reveal the nature of this state and should prompt the Baloch people and international organizations to reconsider their positions on this state. According to this perspective, Pakistan is nothing less than a rogue state that has no regard for morality, religious sensitivities, or the sentiments of the people. Pakistan and its army should be held accountable with transparency for damaging religious sites and targeting innocent people through the use of brutal force. But for Baloch, every act of violence is stored in our memories ultimately strengthening the resistance seeking freedom from the colonial rule of Pakistan. BSO Azad stands firms in its stance towards exposing the true nature of this state which has been demoralising the Baloch people from their cultural values to even deteriorating the religious sentiments. The Baloch nation must realise the truth that Pakistani state is not Islamic, but only misusing the name of sacred Islam. This is her peak hypocrisy seen in Balochistan’s ground.