Balochistan: Families of Enforced Disappeared Persons Continue Protests

QUETTA: Families of enforced disappeared persons in Balochistan have held press conferences at protest camps set up at Shaheed Fida Chowk in Turbat, Hub Chowki, and Kharan, demanding the immediate recovery of their loved ones and highlighting ongoing human rights violations in the region.

The protesters stated that extrajudicial abductions and disappearances of Baloch youth by Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies have been a long-standing issue, with no end in sight. They said Pakistani forces were abducting Baloch youth, often under the guise of security operations.

Furthermore, they emphasised that Baloch youth are no longer safe in their homes or educational institutions, as security forces continue to intimidate and humiliate the local population. “The people of Balochistan live in constant fear, as the presence of the forces is synonymous with insecurity,” said the family members of the victims.

The protesters condemned the January 9, 2025, raid on the home of Fida Wali Dad in Turbat’s Abser Moled-e-Rake.

According to the families, Fida Wali Dad, a laborer in Dubai who had returned home for a three-month vacation, was forcibly abducted from his home at 3 a.m. without any charges or legal justification. They criticized the actions of the forces for violating the sanctity of the home and the unlawful disappearance of an innocent citizen.

Fida Wali Dad’s family, along with the families of eight other missing persons—Shazaib Qadir Bakhsh, Sheerjan Ishaaq, Afzal Manzoor, Shams Ishaaq, Atta Noor Bhakhsh, Yasir Abdul Majeed, Shahjan Basham, and Shukrallah Muhammad Ali—are demanding information about the whereabouts of their loved ones and calling for their immediate release. The protesters have urged the government and authorities to clarify the whereabouts of the missing individuals and present them in court if any charges are pending.

The protesters also highlighted the rise in extrajudicial killings, with many youth killed in staged encounters. Thousands of Baloch individuals are detained in military-run prisons, where they face inhumane treatment, torture, and severe mental and physical abuse.

The families expressed frustration with the lack of accountability, stating that despite attempts to file FIRs and pursue legal action, they have faced indifference and obstruction from the authorities. “If our loved ones have committed crimes, they should be brought to court according to the law. But instead, they are subjected to enforced disappearances without any legal basis,” they remarked.

Additionally, they voiced their disillusionment with the national judiciary, saying it has failed to provide justice for the people of Balochistan. Despite clear evidence of human rights abuses, the judiciary remains silent and powerless in holding the military and intelligence agencies accountable.

As part of their ongoing protest, the families have announced plans for further actions. On January 11, 2025, pamphlets will be distributed across Turbat to raise awareness about the issue. On January 12, 2025, a protest rally will be held at 3 p.m. from Shaheed Fida Ahmed Chowk to National Bank Road, followed by a press conference to announce their future course of action.

“We will not stop fighting for the recovery of our loved ones. We call on the people of Kech, political and social activists, organizations, lawyers, and student bodies to unite and stand with us against state oppression,” the families appealed.

The families also issued an appeal to the international community, including human rights organizations and the United Nations, urging them to intervene and hold Pakistani authorities accountable for the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan. They called for the protection of Baloch civilians and the immediate end of forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the region.

Separately, in Hub, a symbolic three-day hunger strike camp was set up outside the Lasbela Press Club by the families of the forcibly disappeared brothers Junaid Hamid, Yasser Hamid, and Chakir Bugti. The camp was established to demand the safe recovery of their loved ones. During the protest, district administration officials attempted to prevent the demonstration, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

According to the family of Junaid Hamid, the 28-year-old was abducted on the night of October 8, 2024, near Bhawani Shah Pump in Hub. His sister stated that he was forcibly taken by around a dozen armed men in three vehicles. She emphasised that Junaid works at Otsuka Pakistan Limited in Hub, a detail corroborated by the local community.

Additionally, Junaid’s brother, Yasser Hamid, was forcibly disappeared on October 11, 2024, in Kalat, while staying at a relative’s house. This was not the first time Yasser had been abducted, as he had previously fallen victim to enforced disappearance. The family of Junaid and Yasser are demanding their safe return.

Meanwhile, the family of Israr Baloch, who was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces one year ago, staged a protest by blocking the main highway connecting Karachi, Quetta, and Makran with burning tyres. The protesters, demanding the safe return of Israr Baloch, caused major traffic disruptions, and talks with local authorities failed to resolve the situation.

In Kharaan, the families of forcibly disappeared individuals Bilawal Baloch and Asim Baloch have been holding a sit-in protest in the Red Zone of the city. The mother of Bilawal Baloch appealed to state institutions, saying, “If my son has committed any crime, bring him to court.” She also called on the people of Kharaan to join the protest and support the families of the missing.

The protests across Balochistan reflect the growing frustration and anger among the families of the missing persons, who continue to demand justice and the safe recovery of their loved ones. Despite repeated attempts to engage with the authorities, the families remain in the dark about the fate of their abducted relatives and have vowed to continue their struggle until their voices are heard.

The situation in Balochistan remains grim, with families of missing persons continuing their fight for justice despite the threats and challenges posed by ongoing military operations and the silence of the national judiciary.