Staff Reporter:
QUETTA – Former Chief Minister and National Party leader Dr. Malik Baloch has alleged that the decision to shut down the Balochi, Brahui, and Pashto departments at the University of Balochistan is part of a larger conspiracy against local languages and cultures.
Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Dr. Baloch said, “Pakistan is a multilingual state, but our languages are being systematically eliminated instead of protected.” He warned that the directive to close these departments is a targeted move that undermines regional identity and heritage.
Dr. Baloch rejected the administration’s justification that the decision is based on financial losses. “If losses are the reason, then the entire country should be shut down — because Pakistan itself is running in deficit,” he remarked. “Universities are not businesses. They are meant to preserve education, culture, and critical thinking.”
He also highlighted the ongoing crisis in higher education, noting that many university teachers in Balochistan have not been paid for months, and rising fees are driving students away. “Salaries are being slashed despite inflation, while quality education is being sacrificed,” he added.
Dr. Baloch criticized the provincial government for continuing to allocate billions of rupees to Deputy Commissioners, even though the High Court has ruled they cannot be appointed as Project Directors.
“Balochi is being taught in Sweden, yet being shut down in Balochistan. Brahui is taught only at this university — and now it’s being erased. This is a conspiracy against our languages,” he said.
Dr. Baloch urged immediate reversal of the decision and called on the government to safeguard the rights of all linguistic communities in Pakistan’s academic institutions.
