The Baloch National Movement (BNM), a Baloch rights organisation, recently held several conferences in Awaran, Kech, and Gwadar districts of Balochistan to address the issue of radiation exposure faced by Baloch community members since Pakistan conducted nuclear tests on May 28, 1998.

In a statement released on Saturday, the BNM reported that these conferences were attended by local residents and BNM members, reported ANI.

The BNM statement claims that Pakistan did not take adequate measures during the 1998 nuclear tests in Chaghi mountain of Balochistan to prevent radiation exposure to nearby areas. Consequently, locals have been suffering from skin and blood cancers for years, the news agency reported.

“After 26 years, people in Raskoh and surrounding areas continue to suffer. Skin and blood cancers have become common; diseases that were once rare are now claiming dozens of lives annually,” the BNM statement asserted as quoted by ANI.

BNM had earlier highlighted similar concerns in Netherlands and Germany.

Lateef, a Baloch resident in the Netherlands, condemned the nuclear tests as part of Pakistan’s genocidal policies, reported ANI.

He pointed out ongoing environmental and health impacts, stating, “The radiation effects persist, causing diseases like lung, liver, and blood cancers, as well as severe skin and nervous system disorders. Even newborns suffer from congenital diseases.”

Another protestor, Basit Zaheer, underscored the long-term environmental consequences, noting, “Two hydrogen bombs were detonated in Balochistan, affecting the land’s fertility and wildlife. Despite our pleas, affected areas lack hospitals capable of detecting high levels of radioactivity.”