About Shuhada Forum Balochistan
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, became increasingly prone to terrorist attacks in the past years. As a result, thousands of civilians have been affected and even forced to flee their homes in search of safety. It has been attested that local government-led initiatives supporting victims of terrorism in the province remain inadequate, pointing out that considerable resources need to be targeted toward vulnerable populations in order for them to access basic services.
Such victims often experience psychological trauma, physical damage, and emotional distress as a result of their experiences. In many cases, victims go unacknowledged even as their physical injuries are treated; they are not given sufficient access to mental health resources, legal assistance, or financial aid. This has far-reaching implications for individuals and communities affected by terrorist acts—not only do victims suffer in silence, but their grievances may be compounded when authorities fail to acknowledge their suffering or provide adequate protection from fear, intimidation, and further attacks. The families of martyrs are left helpless creating a sense of othering from the State of Pakistan.
Shuhada Forum Balochistan
Consequently, Shuhada Forum Balochistan has been established in 2023 under the patronage of Nawabzada Jamal Raisani to address the above-mentioned grievances and provide legal and financial support, counseling services, and recognition to the martyrs and victims of terrorism.
Nawabzada Jamal Raisani, a victim of terrorism himself, tragically lost both his father and brother to the violence. This heartbreaking event has undoubtedly had a profound effect on him and his family, who not only have to endure these losses, but also must confront the various difficulties that come with such an affliction. As an advocate for peace and security in Balochistan, he took on this responsibility and strives to ensure others do not suffer as he has by raising awareness through his activism and sharing mutual pain with the victims.
Establishing this forum dedicated to the victims of terrorism is an important step in providing support and solidarity to those affected. It aims to serve as a space for people to share their experiences, find emotional and psychological support, connect with resources, and provide survivors with a sense of community. Additionally, it is to create greater awareness among the public about the prevalence of terrorism-related incidents, which can lead to better advocacy for effective policy solutions both locally and internationally. Furthermore, by creating an organized space for victims to communicate with one another, this forum also aims to produce valuable information that can be used for research purposes by experts in academia, government, or NGOs.
Shuhada Forum Balochistan also hopes to build the potential to empower victims’ voices to bring about meaningful change in law enforcement, and policy-making and promote public dialogue that addresses the ongoing need for the martyrs and victims.
Ultimately, these efforts will help preserve dignity among survivors and ensure appropriate recognition of their stories so that victims feel supported and can get the long-term care they need to build resilience in communities affected by terrorist attacks; serving as a reminder that the individual’s suffering matters and that hope for recovery still exist even in difficult times.