The Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement (JSFM), a political group advocating for an independent Sindhu Desh, brought traffic to a standstill on a major highway in Sindh, Pakistan, on Friday (May 16) with a peaceful sit-in protest. The demonstration, characterised by powerful slogans and impassioned speeches, sought to spotlight the escalating human rights violations in Sindh and neighbouring Balochistan, including enforced disappearances, illegal detentions, and systemic oppression of nationalist activists.
The protest also amplified broader calls for self-determination and drew attention to Pakistan’s role in sponsoring terrorism, with the JSFM expressing solidarity with India’s recent actions against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.
Led by prominent figures such as Chairman Sohail Abro, Zubair Sindhi, and Amar Azadi, the JSFM demanded the immediate release of detained Sindhi and Baloch nationalists, including Zahid Channa, Sajad Channa, Adnan Baloch, Badshah Baloch, Rafiqat Manghanhar, and Shahid Soomro. The group also called for the withdrawal of what they described as “false charges” against these individuals and the liberation of all those forcibly arrested by Pakistani authorities.
“This peaceful sit-in serves as a protest against the unlawful arrests of our nationalist activists, the abuses occurring in jails, and the enforced disappearances,” the JSFM stated collectively. “Our effort is peaceful and democratic, and we will persist until our people are free.”
Escalating Tensions and Threats of Further Action
The protesters issued a stern warning to the authorities at Hyderabad Jail, where many detainees are reportedly held, condemning alleged mistreatment and torture of prisoners. They threatened to escalate their actions by blocking the prison’s main gate if the abuses continue, signalling their resolve to hold authorities accountable.
The JSFM also appealed to international organisations, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, urging them to intervene and condemn Pakistan’s human rights violations. The group’s leaders emphasised the need for global scrutiny of what they described as a pattern of systemic oppression targeting Sindhi and Baloch communities.
JSFM’s Solidarity with India and Condemnation of Pakistan’s Terrorism
As reported by Organiser, the JSFM, under the leadership of its founder Zafar Sahito, issued a powerful statement of solidarity with India for its “successful and resolute action” against Islamist terrorist infrastructure operating within Pakistan. In an open letter titled Appeal to the International Community on Terror-Sponsored State Pakistan & Sindh’s Right to Self-Determination, Sahito condemned Pakistan’s military establishment for its role in sponsoring terrorism and called for global intervention to address the country’s destabilising policies.
Sahito praised India’s use of “advanced technology and precise intelligence” in targeting multiple terrorist camps and Pakistani military bases complicit in harbouring and supporting extremist groups. “This bold and effective strike has demonstrated India’s strength, resolve, and commitment to protecting its citizens and punishing the perpetrators and sponsors of terror,” the letter stated.
The operation, described as a devastating blow to Pakistan’s terrorist infrastructure, has reportedly forced the Pakistani establishment to agree to a cessation of hostilities and seek dialogue, pressured by international actors, particularly the United States.
“India’s action sends a clear message: those who kill innocents, and their masters who harbour and fund them, will face consequences,” Sahito emphasised, highlighting the operation’s broader implications for regional security. The JSFM underscored India’s leadership in the global fight against terrorism, a cause that resonates deeply with the Sindhi nation, which has long suffered under Pakistan’s Punjab-dominated military regime.
Sindhi Solidarity and Historical Context
The JSFM expressed solidarity with India, drawing parallels between their struggle for self-determination and India’s fight against terrorism.
“We too have long suffered under the yoke of Pakistan’s military establishment, which is dominated by Punjab and sustained by a dangerous nexus with radical Islamist elements and external powers like China,” Sahito noted. The Sindhi nation, along with other oppressed groups such as the Baloch, Pashtun, and Saraiki, has faced systematic oppression, exploitation, and violence under Pakistan’s regime.
The letter reclaimed the occupied land of Pakistan as the historic “Sapta-Sindhu,” emphasising the cultural and historical contributions of the Sindhi, Baloch, Pashtun, and Saraiki peoples. “The backgrounds and contributions of the Sindhi, Baloch, Pashtun, and Saraiki could not be forgotten,” the letter asserted, calling for recognition of their right to self-determination.
Speaking with Organiser, Sahito elaborated on the geopolitical dynamics driving tensions in the region. “The recent tensions between India and Pakistan, especially during the recent operations, have largely been driven by China. China is exerting its influence over Pakistan, and this conflict is shaping up to be not just an India-Pakistan issue but also an India-China conflict. This is just the beginning,” he stated.
Sahito also highlighted the socio-political dynamics within Pakistan, noting, “Whenever there is a movement in Sindh, it has a significant impact on Pakistan. Sindh is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, generating about 75 per cent to 80 per cent of the country’s revenue. Therefore, it must be liberated. The concept of Punjab as the land of five rivers and Pakistan as ‘Sapta Sindhu’ is deeply rooted in our civilisation. For us, Sindhu is our heritage, shared with Bharat and Sanatan Dharma. This heritage must be reclaimed from the terror state.”
Urgent Appeals to the International Community
The JSFM issued a series of urgent appeals to global powers and institutions, urging decisive action against Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism and support for the self-determination of oppressed nations. Key demands included:
To the United States and its allies: “Ensure that Pakistan is permanently disarmed of its nuclear weapons, which are in the hands of a military establishment that sponsors terrorism and poses a grave threat to regional and global security.”
To the IMF, World Bank, and other financial institutions: “Immediately suspend all aid, loans, and assistance to Pakistan. These funds are systematically diverted to finance terrorism, suppress internal dissent, and destabilise neighbouring countries.”
To democratic nations worldwide: “Recognise the right to self-determination for the oppressed nations under Pakistani occupation—Sindhis, Baloch, Pashtuns, and Saraikis—who seek freedom, peace, and the restoration of their historic sovereignty.”
The letter also proposed the formation of a Regional Union, with India taking a leading role based on its historical and civilizational ties. “We appeal to the international community to support the legitimate right to self-determination based on language, ethnicity, and culture,” Sahito stated.
A History of Human Rights Abuses in Sindh
The protest comes amid longstanding grievances in Sindh, where activists have accused the Pakistani state of perpetrating widespread human rights abuses. A 2022 US State Department report highlighted disturbing cases of extrajudicial killings and the recovery of mutilated bodies across the province, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
In 2024, JSFM Chairman Sohail Abro drew attention to the case of Priya Kumari, a young Hindu girl who remains missing, spotlighting the rising incidents of forced conversions and marriages of minority women to Muslim men in Sindh. Such cases have fueled outrage among Sindhi activists, who view them as part of a broader campaign to erode the region’s cultural and religious identity.
Sindhis have long struggled for recognition of their distinct identity and greater autonomy within Pakistan. They accuse the state of implementing policies aimed at erasing Sindhi culture, including the imposition of Urdu as a dominant language, the controversial “One Unit” policy of the mid-20th century, which diminished provincial autonomy, and historical land grabs, such as the administrative separation of Karachi from Sindh. These grievances have galvanised movements like the JSFM, which seeks complete independence for a sovereign Sindhu Desh.
Balochistan’s Independence Declaration Amplifies Regional Unrest
The Sindh protest follows a dramatic development in neighbouring Balochistan, where activists declared independence from Pakistan earlier this week. The announcement sparked a wave of online activity, with hashtags like #RepublicOfBalochistan trending on social media platforms. Users shared proposed flags, maps, and messages of solidarity, reflecting growing momentum for separatist movements in the region.
The parallel struggles in Sindh and Balochistan highlight a deepening crisis in Pakistan, where ethnic and regional communities increasingly challenge the central government’s authority. Both regions have accused the state of exploiting their natural resources, marginalising their populations, and responding to dissent with brutal repression.
Concerns Over Radicalisation and Media Manipulation
Sahito raised alarms about Pakistan’s internal dynamics, stating, “Currently, extremist clerics in Pakistan are instigating protests in every city, and they are openly giving calls for violence.” He noted that recent conflicts have boosted the morale of Pakistan’s military, which had been weakened by internal crises, including attacks on cantonments and unrest in regions like Balochistan and Sindh.
He also accused Pakistan of manipulating narratives to deflect criticism, citing a recent claim that the Indian government burned houses of Muslims in Kashmir, labelling the residents as terrorists. “India must pay attention to social media, media fronts, and video narratives. These are the most dangerous fronts, and they must not be ignored,” Sahito urged.
Expressing a desire for closer ties with India, Sahito stated, “We want to be with India. India must formulate a strategy to advance this fight and support our reclamation efforts. Not just Balochistan, we too need liberation.”
A Call for Global Solidarity
As the JSFM’s highway sit-in concluded, its leaders reiterated their commitment to nonviolent resistance while vowing to intensify their campaign until their demands are met. The protest not only underscored the resilience of Sindhi nationalists but also served as a stark reminder of the broader human rights and security challenges posed by Pakistan’s policies.
With the international community now being called upon to act, the spotlight is on global organisations to address the allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, cultural suppression, and state-sponsored terrorism. As tensions continue to rise, the voices of Sindhi and Baloch activists are growing louder, demanding justice, freedom, and the right to self-determination.
