Political and religious parties, along with civil society groups, have strongly condemned the recent airstrike in the Surab district's Gadar area, which reportedly killed dozens of civilians, including women and children. Protest calls have been issued across Balochistan, with shutter-down strikes and rallies planned for August 13 and 16.

BNP Demands Fact-Finding Commission, Announces Aug 16 Protests

Balochistan National Party (BNP) senior vice president Sajid Tareen Advocate, flanked by party leaders, addressed a press conference in Quetta on Wednesday, denouncing the aerial bombardment and announcing province-wide protests on August 16.

Tareen termed the strikes "the height of oppression" and expressed full solidarity with ongoing sit-ins in Surab, Khuzdar, and Kalat. He directed party leaders and workers to actively participate in the demonstrations.

Key demands raised by the BNP include:

· Formation of a fact-finding commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate the Surab incident, enforced disappearances, and other issues in Balochistan.

· Condemnation of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which Tareen claimed has reduced judges to "mere servants of the government."

· A shift from force to political dialogue to resolve Balochistan's longstanding issues.

"The government claims the situation in Balochistan is stable, yet curfews and restrictions remain in place across various areas. The use of force will only deepen hatred," Tareen said.

He also called for investigations into recent incidents in Wadh and Mastung, questioning why the province's security situation continues to deteriorate.

Tareen announced that a central party meeting would be convened after the August 16 protests to decide on future courses of action. He reaffirmed that under the leadership of Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, the BNP would continue its constitutional and democratic struggle against all forms of coercion.

"Balochistan has long been treated as a colony by Islamabad. The people of Balochistan are ready to face hardships and death rather than leave their land," he added.

The press conference was also addressed by Agha Hassan Baloch Advocate (central information secretary), Akhtar Hussain Langove (finance secretary), Musa Baloch, Ramadan Baloch, Smand Baloch (BSO central secretary general), and other central executive committee members.

BYC Calls for Complete Shutter-Down Today

Separately, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has called for a complete shutter-down strike and wheel-jam protest across Balochistan on Thursday, August 13, against the Surab airstrike and civilian casualties.

In a statement, the BYC appealed to traders, shopkeepers, laborers, students, transporters, civil society, and all citizens to observe the strike peacefully. The protest aims to express solidarity with the victims' families and demand justice.

The BYC described the protest as a peaceful collective demonstration.

JUI-F's Haideri Condemns 'Jet Bombardment' on Civilians

Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Member of the National Assembly and Central Secretary General of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), also issued a strong condemnation, calling the airstrike on innocent civilians in Gadar "deeply shocking and highly reprehensible."

In a statement, Haideri said:

"Targeting women and children in such indiscriminate bombings is a grave violation of human rights and a painful act of cruelty. It is deeply concerning that civilians are being affected by institutions whose primary duty is to protect lives and property."

He demanded:

· Immediate identification and strict punishment of those responsible.

· A high-level and transparent inquiry into the incident.

· Prompt relief and compensation for affected families.

Haideri affirmed that JUI-F stands with the oppressed people of Surab and will raise its voice against this injustice on every forum.

BNM's Dr. Naseem Baloch: 'This Is Not Gaza, This Is Balochistan'

Dr. Naseem Baloch, Chairman of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), expressed deep concern over the airstrike, likening the aftermath to scenes from Gaza and Palestine.

"The images emerging from the incident resemble those we see from Gaza—children, the elderly, and civilians killed in bombings. But this is not Gaza. This is Balochistan," he said.

Dr. Baloch claimed that 27 civilians, many of them children, were killed in the aerial bombardment by Pakistani forces. He described the visuals of injured and deceased civilians as "heartbreaking."

He stated that this is not an isolated tragedy, pointing to decades of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, military operations, and systemic violence against the Baloch people. He termed the situation a "genocide" that demands urgent international attention.

"The suffering of the Baloch people has continued since Pakistan's takeover of Balochistan in 1948. Just as the world raises its voice for the children of Gaza, the children of Balochistan deserve the same attention, solidarity, and protection," he added.

The Surab airstrike has triggered widespread outrage across Balochistan, with political parties, religious groups, and civil society uniting in condemnation. While authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the incident, protests and strike calls are expected to intensify in the coming days.

Balochistan Dispatch will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they develop