Enforced Disappearances in Balochistan: Families Protest For Recovery Of Loved Ones

QUETTA – September 1, 2024: The horrendous crime of enforced disappearances by Pakistani forces continues in Balochistan, leading to widespread protests and demands for justice.

In the latest incident, Pakistani forces detained and disappeared two individuals, including a young boy, from the Panjgur district in Balochistan.

The missing individuals have been identified as Shehsawar son of Hussain and Murtaza son of Ali both residents of Kaleri.

The victims were custody today from the Jirak border, which connects Western and Eastern parts of Balochistan, and have not been seen since.

On the other hand in Khuzdar the family of Shahzad Ahmed son of Mehboob Mulalzai, organized a protest rally in Khuzdar city, demanding his immediate recovery.

Shahzad was forcibly disappeared after being detained by Pakistani forces in Khuzdar on August 17th.

Protesters marched through various streets, holding placards and chanting slogans for the recovery of Shahzad Ahmed and other missing persons.

The protesters have called on Pakistani authorities and security agencies to bring Shahzad Ahmed to light and present him in court if he is accused of any crime.

They warned that if their demands are not met, they will escalate their protests, holding the district administration responsible for any consequences.

Separately, a similar protest rally was held in Quetta against the non-recovery of two cousins, Asif Baloch and Rasheed Baloch, who were forcibly disappeared six years ago after being detained by Pakistani forces in Nushki.

The rally, organised by the families of the missing cousins, drew significant participation, including leaders from various political and social organisations.

During the rally, Saira Baloch, sister of Asif and Rasheed, expressed her anguish over the prolonged disappearance of her brothers. She questioned the state’s actions, highlighting that no crime has been proven against them even after six years.

“For six years, I have been presenting evidence of my brothers’ innocence everywhere, going around courts and commissions, but we have not received justice,” she said, adding that the state has subjected her family to collective suffering.

Nasrullah Baloch, Chairman of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, spoke at the rally, condemning the increasing number of enforced disappearances in the region.

He criticised state officials for their failure to address the root causes of the Balochistan issue, questioning their seriousness in resolving the problem.

Zubair Shah, a leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement Balochistan, also addressed the rally, describing Balochistan as a “slaughterhouse” where bodies are discovered daily, leaving families of the missing in constant torment.

He assured that the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement stands in solidarity with their Baloch brothers and sisters in the fight against these atrocities.

Families of other missing persons from Balochistan also joined the Quetta rally, demanding the recovery of their loved ones.

Additionally, a social media campaign was also launched by the families of Asif and Rasheed Baloch to raise awareness and pressure authorities for their immediate recovery.