Balochistan: Father of Missing Baloch Man Dies After Years of Seeking Justice

QUETTA: Shah Nawaz Baloch, the father of Rahimuddin Baloch, a missing person held in Pakistani custody for the past decade, passed away after a prolonged illness. His death comes after years of tireless efforts to seek his son’s release, a struggle that ended in heartbreak without any answers.

Following his passing, the grieving family brought his body to Missing Persons Chowk in Kharan, where they staged a protest demanding justice. 

According to sources, Rahimuddin has been detained in undisclosed locations since August 26, 2016, after being taken by security forces. His father’s death has only deepened the anguish of the family, which continues to call for his safe return.

The ongoing protest at Missing Persons Chowk aims to draw attention to the plight of families affected by enforced disappearances in Balochistan. The family has also urged authorities to allow Rahimuddin to attend his father’s funeral. 

The funeral prayer for Shah Nawaz Baloch is scheduled for today, Tuesday, at 4:30 PM at Kharan Bazaar Cemetery, while condolences and recitations of Fatiha will continue at Kharan Red Zone, where mourners are gathering in solidarity.

Local residents, as well as members of various social and political groups, have been called to support the grieving family in their fight for justice. Enforced disappearances remain a persistent issue in Balochistan, with activists demanding urgent intervention from both national and international human rights organizations.

In a powerful statement, the victim’s family vowed to take Shah Nawaz Baloch’s body across the region in a bid to highlight their suffering and demand justice for Rahimuddin. They continue to insist on his immediate release, at the very least, to allow him to mourn his father’s passing.

The case of Rahimuddin Baloch is one of many in Balochistan, where families are left in agony, waiting for news of their missing loved ones. Activists emphasise that such acts of collective punishment must end, urging authorities to provide answers and accountability.

As protests continue, the Baloch community is being called upon to stand in solidarity with the affected family and raise its voice against enforced disappearances, which have left countless families shattered.