Acclaimed Pakistani author and journalist Mohammed Hanif announced that he would be returning the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the country's third-highest civilian award.
The decision came in response to the Islamabad police's use of force against Baloch marchers and the subsequent arrest of numerous protesters in the federal capital.
Hanif, known for his notable works such as "A Case of Exploding Mangoes," expressed his discontent on X (formerly Twitter), citing a video of a Baloch girl pleading for basic rights and justice. In a scathing critique, he denounced the authorities for resorting to violent tactics against the peaceful demonstrators.
His social media post declared, "In protest, returning my Sitara e Imtiaz, given to me by a state that continues to abduct and torture Baloch citizens [...] Ashamed to witness a new generation being denied basic dignity."
In protest, returning my Sitara e Imtiaz, given to me by a state that continues to abduct and torture Baloch citizens. Journalists of my generation have seen @SammiBaluch and @MahrangBaloch_ grow up in protest camps. Ashamed to witness a new generation being denied basic dignity. https://t.co/yrw4STuzKk
— Mohammed Hanif (@mohammedhanif) December 23, 2023
The crackdown elicited widespread condemnation from various quarters, including human rights bodies and political parties such as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamat-e-Islami (JI).
In response to mounting criticism, the government issued a statement justifying the use of force, claiming it was necessary to prevent a potential "catastrophe."
Mohammed Hanif, who was honored with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2018, joins a growing chorus of voices expressing concern over the treatment of Baloch citizens and advocating for their basic rights.
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