Many of us often proclaim, “I’m proud to be a Baloch.” When we utter these words, we aren’t merely expressing pride in our Baloch identity as a nation. Rather, we signify our pride in our bravery, unwavering patriotism, and willingness to sacrifice wealth, happiness, and even life itself for the sake of our land and people. However, it’s essential to recognize that not everyone among us has earned the right to make this declaration. Why? Because many of us haven’t contributed significantly to demonstrate our courage in defending our land or our commitment to its progress.
Consider the following questions: Do I have the integrity to refrain from supporting corrupt politicians with my vote, even if it means sacrificing personal gain for the betterment of my nation? Am I willing to provide a room in my spacious home to a friend who aspires to pursue higher education but lacks the means to afford rent? Can I summon the courage to forgo dining at expensive restaurants to feed my less fortunate neighbors? Will I sacrifice the urge to buy new clothing to financially assist a classmate in purchasing essential books? Am I prepared to invest money in the promotion of our language and culture? Have I dedicated time to contemplate solutions for the struggles faced by those in the lower echelons of society? Have I taken concrete steps towards the advancement of my nation? Despite owing multiple cars, have we ever considered donating one as an ambulance for remote communities lacking access to hospitals?
If the answer to these questions in no, then simply donning the black chadar and sharing posts about Balochistan’s issues on social media does not grant us the right to proudly proclaim, “I’m proud to be a Baloch.”
You may wonder, “Why should we undertake all these actions? After all, we pay taxes, and it’s the government’s responsibility to address the people’s issues, not ours.” However, in a country marred by colonization and kleptocracy, where nominal leaders are appointed through dubious means, placing blind trust in the government to solve our problems is futile. Instead, self-reliance becomes our only recourse.
Likewise, we reside in what can be termed a banana republic, where our economy’s heavy reliance on oil trade leaves us vulnerable to financial collapse at any moment. To combat this precarious reality too, it is incumbent upon us to educate and empower our youth to explore alternative sources of income. Additionally, we must actively engage in addressing the systemic issues plaguing our oil trade, demanding fair distribution of tokens and adequate support for those risking their lives in this trade.
Before we proudly proclaim our Baloch identity, let us first introspect. Let us ask ourselves if our actions align with the pride we profess. Let us strive to be deserving of the title, “I’m proud to be a Baloch,” by actively contributing to the betterment of our land and its people.
In unity and action, we can uphold the true spirit of Baloch pride and pave the way towards a brighter future for generations to come.
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