A Catholic priest from the Archdiocese of Karachi has called for unity and peace in the face of escalating tensions in the Kashmir region and the province of Baluchistan, where recent conflict has heightened concerns for civilians and national cohesion.
“Now is the time for unity and peace. I would like to recall the words of Pope Leo XIV: Peace be with you. We address this message to India, to our Indian brothers, with whom we are called to build coexistence, and also to our brothers in Baluchistan, which is an integral part of Pakistan,” Father Mario Angelo Rodrigues told Fides News Agency.
The appeal comes as India and Pakistan agreed to a truce following renewed conflict in Kashmir. Meanwhile, in western Pakistan, the situation in Baluchistan has worsened amid the resurgence of an irredentist movement that has existed since the country’s independence.
Civil society leader Mir Yar Baloch recently declared that “Balochistan is not Pakistan,” calling for independence and denouncing decades of violence, forced disappearances, and human rights violations.
Father Rodrigues, who began his pastoral work in Baluchistan as a young priest, said: “There I met peaceful, hospitable, life-loving people. We defend human dignity, fundamental rights, prosperity for all, and reject all forms of violence. Unfortunately, when terror erupts in the region, the military intervenes, and I can imagine the suffering this causes for the civilian population.”
While Baluchistan continues to pose challenges for the Pakistani government, Rodrigues stressed the need for national unity and peaceful coexistence.
Speaking of his current work in Karachi, he noted: “In Karachi, the Baloch communities are well integrated. We have Baloch children in our school, who live in complete harmony with their classmates. That is the model to follow.”
Rodrigues is principal of St. Patrick High School, a Catholic institution serving more than 4,000 students.
The province of Baluchistan, where around 7 million ethnic Baloch live, has been the site of separatist insurgencies since 1948.
In March, the Baluchistan Liberation Army hijacked the Jaffar Express train carrying at least 380 passengers. The standoff ended following the intervention of the Pakistani military.
Reports of serious human rights violations in the region continue to be raised by local communities and human rights groups.
