Balochistan: Families of Enforced Disappeared Individuals Continue Protests
Nine Families of Abducted Baloch Announced Joint Protest for February 28
QUETTA: Families of individuals who were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces in Tehsil Zehri, Khuzdar, have announced plans to block various points of the Quetta-Karachi National Highway on February 28, 2025. The protest aims to raise awareness about the ongoing disappearances and demand the safe recovery of their loved ones.
The families, whose relatives were abducted by Pakistani forces in January, have requested on the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) to join their cause and lend support to their protest.
These individuals were abducted from different areas of Zehri by Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies. Although one individual has been released, many others remain missing.
Among the disappeared individuals are Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Boubak son of Mohammad Anwar taken on January 9, Atique-ur-Rehman Boubak son of Abdul Qadir, taken on January 13 from Malguzar Khuzdar, Mohammad Hayat Matazai son of Mohammad Omar, taken on February 18 from Zehri Daak Rahim Abad, Hafiz Siraj Ahmed Pindrani son of Din Mohammad, from Norgama Zehri, Zahid Ahmed son of Abdul Hamid Musiani, taken on October 10, 2022, from Sardar Doda Khan Stadium Zehri, Yasir Ahmed son of Ghul Mohammad Musiani, taken on June 5, 2023, from Bulbul Zehri, Zakaria son of Saadullah, taken on August 30, 2021, from Panjgur, Naveed Ahmed son of Abdul Rashid Musiani, offloaded from a passenger van at Pir Umar Khuzdar on April 29, 2023 and Mohammad Shafiq son of Mohammad Hayat, taken on August 31, 2022, from Gidan Hotel, Zehri.
Families of Missing Persons Block Quetta-Karachi National Highway in Protest at Hub Chowki
In Hub Chowki, relatives of missing persons have staged a protest by blocking the Quetta-Karachi National Highway near Hub Bhawani, causing disruptions to the flow of traffic.
The protesters have expressed frustration over the district administration’s failure to fulfil promises made during negotiations last month, despite the expiration of a 20-day ultimatum for the recovery of their loved ones.
This protest has seen the addition of two new families, bringing the total number of families participating in the sit-in to six. All are demanding the recovery of their forcibly disappeared relatives.
Previously, the families held a protest in Hub Bhawani last month. After receiving assurances from the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) representative, they were given a 20-day ultimatum for the recovery of their loved ones.
However, with no progress made by the end of the ultimatum, the families resumed their protest, expressing dissatisfaction with the state’s lack of seriousness.
The protesters have stated that they will continue their sit-in and keep the highway blocked until their loved ones are released. They have called on authorities to take immediate action and have vowed to persist with their protests until their demands are met.
Additionally, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) Lasbela Region has extended its full support to the protest, urging the state to fulfill its commitments and recover the missing individuals.
Mastung Protest Ends After Zahoor Smalani’s Recovery
A two-day protest sit-in on the Quetta-Karachi highway, organized by the relatives of Zahoor Smalani, ended after his recovery. Zahoor, who had been forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces, was the subject of the protest in Mastung.
The protest began with women and children staging a sit-in at Nawab Hotel, Mastung, completely blocking the highway, which caused a suspension of traffic. On the second day, the protest extended to blocking the Taftan to Quetta and Karachi main highway at Lackpass, halting all traffic.
After successful negotiations with the Assistant Commissioner of Mastung, Muhammad Akram Harifal, Zahoor Smalani was released, and the protest ended, allowing the highway to be reopened for traffic.
Protests for Sabir Baloch’s Recovery on CPEC Route
The relatives of Sabir Baloch a resident of Greshah in Khuzdar have staged a protest on the CPEC route to demand his recovery. Sabir was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies on February 26, 2025, while he was travelling from Karachi.
In response to his disappearance, his family members blocked the Nal CPEC route, causing a suspension of all traffic in the area. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s Nal zone has expressed full support for the ongoing protest and urged the people of Nal to join the sit-in to help amplify the demand for Sabir Baloch’s recovery.
These protests across Balochistan highlight the ongoing struggle of families whose loved ones have been forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces. Despite assurances from the local authorities, many individuals remain missing, and the families are calling for immediate action and accountability.
