Family of Abducted Baloch Youth Appeals for Justice as Violence Continues in Balochistan

QUETTA: In a press conference held today, the family of Junaid Hamid, a 28-year-old employee of Otsuka Pakistan Limited, shared their distressing experience following his abduction on the night of October 8. They called for immediate action from both the government and human rights organisations.

According to the family, Junaid left home around 10 PM. When he failed to return, they attempted to reach him via phone, only to find that his number was switched off. Despite their efforts throughout the night, they received no response. The following day, the family reported his disappearance to the Hub City Police Station.

Tragically, they later learned that Junaid had been forcibly taken by a group of approximately a dozen armed individuals in three vehicles near the Bhawani Shah pump. Eyewitnesses confirmed the incident, deepening the family’s anguish.

During the press conference, Junaid’s family emphasised his innocence, stating that he had never been involved in any political or religious activities.

The family expressed their despair over the ongoing violence and disappearances in Balochistan, questioning the humanity of the authorities.

“Are the people of Balochistan not human beings? Are the world’s human rights laws not applicable here?” they added. They highlighted the pain that many families in Balochistan endure, with countless individuals missing or affected by psychological trauma.

The family called on the government and security agencies to take swift action to locate Junaid and return him safely. They also urged local and national human rights organisations to assist in addressing this grave issue.

The press conference concluded with a warning: if Junaid is not recovered, the family will be compelled to take to the streets in protest, seeking justice and accountability for his abduction.

In a related incident, Pakistani forces took three individuals into custody in Hub Chowki and transferred them to an unknown location. On September 26, Shabeer Ahmed son of Amir Ahmed, was abducted near the Ashok pump, while two others were taken on September 29 from Sakuran Road.

All three missing individuals are cousins and residents of Amirabad. Sources said that Shabeer Ahmed is a rickshaw driver, while Aftab Ahmed son of Nazeer Ahmed, works as a truck driver and Rashid Ali is a motorcycle mechanic.

It is noteworthy that Pakistani police and plainclothes officials abducted four Baloch students from Punjab during a raid on their hostels. The students were taken in a single night from Punjab University and Lahore University but have since been released.