Geneva, Sept. 16 -- Arif Aajakia, a well-known human rights defender and Executive Director of the Asian Human Rights Forum, has strongly criticised Pakistan for what he describes as ongoing human rights violations and systemic exploitation of ethnic minorities and marginalised provinces.

Speaking during a recent address, Aajakia alleged that the situation in Balochistan amounts to genocide. "Balochistan is an occupied nation. Its people are facing both physical and economic genocide," he said.

According to him, the province, which is rich in natural resources, is being exploited by the Pakistani state with the support of the Chinese Communist Party. "All the resources are being looted, and the local Baloch population receives nothing. ...