Paank strongly condemns the killing of renowned Brahui poet, writer, translator, and academic Professor Ghamkhwar Hayat in Noshki, #Balochistan. His assassination is yet another devastating loss for Baloch intellectual and cultural life. Professor Ghamkhwar Hayat, whose real name was Muhammad Khan, was a respected literary figure from Noshki and the author of more than 15 books in Brahui and Balochi literature. A lecturer since 2014 and Assistant Professor at Degree College Noshki, he dedicated his life to education, language, and the preservation of Baloch identity through poetry, translation, and scholarship. He was targeted by Pakistan Army backed death squads near Kili Mengal, Noshki. We demand an immediate, transparent, and international investigation into his killing. Paank has been documenting and investigating such incidents and believes that the continued killings, enforced disappearances, and targeting of Baloch intellectuals, writers, students, journalists, and activists are part of a systematic campaign carried out through state-backed death squads operating under the patronage of Pakistani security forces. Professor Ghamkhwar Hayat’s killing follows a long pattern of violence that has robbed the Baloch nation of its scholars, poets, teachers, and voices of resistance. For years, Baloch families and human rights defenders have documented cases involving extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances across Balochistan, while perpetrators continue to enjoy impunity. The assassination of intellectuals is an attack not only on individuals, but on the collective history, language, culture, and identity of the Baloch people. We call on the international community, the United Nations, and global human rights organizations to urgently intervene and hold Pakistan accountable for ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan. Silencing intellectuals will not silence the truth. #GhamkhwarHayat #Balochistan #HumanRights #Paank #JusticeForBaloch #StopTargetingBalochIntellectuals
