Forcibly Disappeared Doctor’s Family Stages Protest in Quetta

QUETTA: The family of forcibly disappeared Dr. Abdul Hai Baloch organized a rally and protest demonstration in Quetta to demand his recovery.

The rally, held on Tuesday, started from Balochistan University, passing through various roads before reaching the Quetta Press Club, where the relatives recorded their protest.

Along with the relatives of Dr. Abdul Hai, a large number of citizens, including the families of other forcibly disappeared persons, participated in the protest. They carried pictures of their loved ones and chanted slogans against enforced disappearances.

Addressing the rally participants, Bakhtawar Baloch, the sister of Dr. Abdul Hai Baloch from Awaran, said that her brother was forcibly disappeared by state forces on June 1, 2024. Even after three months, there has been no news of his whereabouts.

Bakhtawar Baloch emphasized that her brother is a government employee, working as an OT Operating Assistant at Awaran District Hospital. He was forcibly disappeared by personnel from Pakistani forces while at his clinic. She demanded that if there are any allegations against him, he should be presented in court; otherwise, he should be recovered and released to alleviate their suffering.

Additionally, the families of other forcibly disappeared persons from Balochistan who participated in the protest rally demanded that the government and authorities bring their loved ones to light.

They also criticized the government’s offer of monetary compensation in exchange for the recovery of their loved ones, calling it akin to rubbing salt into their wounds. They added that they have been struggling for years to recover their loved ones and urged the government to provide them with justice.