About Us

The  Baloch Hal is the first online English newspaper of Balochistan which staunchly pursues an independent editorial policy aiming to practice objective journalism. The online paper offers candid opinion, in-depth analyses, revealing interviews, investigative reports and fresh photographs which are instantly shared with a global audience by using social networks like Twitter and Facebook.

The Baloch Hal has been cited by reputed media organizations such  as Al-Jazeera English , BBC Urdu,  Dawn, The News International,  Deutsche welles (Germany), The National (UAE), Iwatch News (USA),  GARA (Spain) and Radio Canada.

Launched on November 20, 2009, The Baloch Hal, a non-profit news organization,  is currently the most widely quoted newspaper of Balochistan. In November 2010, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) banned the liberal newspaper inside  Pakistan because of its independent editorial policy. The paper, however, refused to succumb to any kind of government pressure.

Hal,  is a Balochi word for news. The Baloch Hal comprises of a team of young media professionals without biases towards any religion or political ideology. Ours is a liberal and secular policy under which we will provide equal coverage to all stakeholders in Balochistan. The newspaper adheres to the democratic principles of all forms of freedoms and advocates peace and tolerance.

With very limited financial and technical resources, we deeply welcome all kind of donations, contributions, intellectual inputs from our readers in order to sustain this fledgling non-profit media outlet.

                                                  OUR TEAM

Malik Siraj Akbar, Founder, Editor-in-Chief 

Malik Siraj Akbar was born in Panjgur, a remote town of Balochistan bordering Iran. He became a journalist because he did not think for a moment in his whole life of becoming something else but a journalist. A former Balochistan Bureau Chief of Daily Times and Daily Aaj Kal, Malik founded the Baloch Hal in November 2009. He is based in Washington DC where he is a visiting journalist at the Center for Public Integrity. Malik is the first Baloch journalist to be awarded the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship. He blogs on Forign Policy blogs. His book The Redefined Dimensions of Baloch Nationalist Movement was published in the United States in 2011.

 

Muatasim has worked as a sub-editor for Daily Balochistan Express, one of most circulated English dailies of Balochistan published from Quetta. He is also a frequent contributor to several major publications of the province.

Yousaf Ajab, Staff Writer

Yousaf Ajab Baloch joined The Baloch Hal in November 2010.He is a staff writer. He reports on human rights issues. Born in Balochistan’s historic city of Kalat, Ajab holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He Completed a short-term Educational Programme in Journalism in 2009, from Alam Iqbal Open University with journalistic language, editing, editorial writing, feature writing, column and review writing.

Yousaf Ajab Baloch contributed to editorial pages of Daily Azadi Quetta and Daily Asaap Quetta and wrote a weekly column “Qeqan Nama”, focusing Baluchistan’s social and political issues. He also worked as a reporter and Sub-Editor at English Magazine Monthly Bolan Voice in 2009 and 2010.He is the author of two books in Brahvi language.

 

Mazhar Ali Khan, Photographer

Mazhar Ali Khan aka Mazhar Chandio is a renowned press photographer of Balochistan who has formerly worked with News Network International, Daily Times, Daily Aaj Kal, Daily Awam, Daily Public and several other publications. Besides, The Baloch Hal, his press photos also regularly appear in Daily Balochistan Express and Daily Azadi.  Mr. Khan has covered several important political developments in Balochistan. A native of Sibi district, he has captured many historic moments, natural disasters, tragic bomb blasts, presidential and prime ministerial events, local and general elections.