Balochistan: Human Rights bodies express concern over the abduction of Baloch women

QUETTA:  The Turbat region Special Task Forces of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the news of the abduction of six women and five children by the Pakistani security forces during an offensive in Panjgur.

 It said that the issue of human rights has existed in Balochistan for many years and its intensity is increasing day by day.

The HRCP in its press statement further said, “HRPC not only condemns the abduction of six women and five children in Panjur but it also regards it as an inhumane, immoral and unconstitutional move and demands the immediate release of all arrested men, women and children.”  

The HRCP spokesman said that steps should be taken to change attitudes and ensure civil liberties by seriously considering the deteriorating human rights situation in Balochistan.

The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) also deplored the enforced disappearance of Baloch women and children from Panjgur and said it was a matter of concern and unconstitutional, immoral and inhumane act.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons Nasrullah Baloch has also issued an appeal to provide full details of the missing women and children from Panjgur to the organisation so that it can effectively take up the issue with the government and other concerned agencies.

It is important to note that since the past several days’ Pakistani forces have launched a large-scale ground and air offensive in different areas of Gichk in the Panjgur district of Balochistan, as a result of which several people, including women and children, have reportedly been abducted so far.

The military offensive later has been extended to other areas including Gichak. There were also reports from locals that the Pakistani army had buried two bodies under its supervision yesterday. Residents of the area and eyewitnesses confirmed that the bodies were burnt.

So far, there are reports of the abduction of seven women along with 11 children and burning down of wheat and other farms and setting ablaze the houses of eight people by Pakistani forces during these latest offensives.

The abducted women and children have been named as Maryam, Muharram, Mahal, Mah Gul, Razia, Jamati, Bego, 14-year-old Shakila, 6-year-old Jamila, 12-year-old Khairina, 6-year-old Sabrina, 1-year-old Adeela, 8-year-old Zubair, 7-year-old Sameer, six-year-old Shahdad, four-year-old Shahram, two-year-old Shantul and another two-year-old child is also among the victims.

The Pakistan forces have laid a siege around the area and blocked communication system that’s why the exact number of abductions, damage to properties and any casualties cannot be confirmed so far.