Protest Held in London Demanding Recovery of Missing Taj Muhammad Sarparah
LONDON July 21, 2025 :A peaceful protest was held outside the British Prime Minister’s residence on July 20, demanding the immediate recovery of missing Taj Muhammad Sarparah and all other forcibly disappeared persons from Balochistan.
The demonstration was organised by Sarparah’s wife, Salia Marri, and her family, with support from the Baloch diaspora. The event saw a significant turnout, including Pashtoon and Sindhi human rights activists, and members of the broader South Asian community in the UK.
Protesters, including women, children, and the elderly, carried placards, banners, and photographs of missing individuals. Slogans called for justice, human rights, and international action to end enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
Speaking at the protest, Mrs. Taj Sarparah said her husband was abducted by Pakistani security agencies, specifically the ISI, on July 19, 2020.
“My children and I have lived through five painful years without him, under constant threats and intimidation,” she said. “I am still being warned to remain silent if I want my family to stay safe.”
She condemned the broader crisis of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, the continued detention of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and the ongoing repression of protesting Baloch families in Islamabad.
Other speakers included Pashtoon leader Said Alam Mahsud, Sindhi activist Sohail Abro, Rasheed Baloch of the Free Balochistan Movement, Mansoor Baloch of the Baloch Republican Party, Abdul Hakeem Baloch, and Malaika Taj, daughter of the disappeared Taj Muhammad Sarparah.
All speakers echoed Salia Marri’s demand for an immediate end to enforced disappearances in Balochistan and the release of all missing Baloch persons.
The speakers also emphasised the importance of unity between Baloch, Pashtun and Sindhi communities in exposing the Pakistani state’s systematic atrocities against their oppressed nations. “Our cause is shared,” said Mr Mahsud. “The disappearance of one is a threat to all of us.”
They called on the British government and international human rights organisations to break their silence and take urgent steps to address the situation in Balochistan.
The protest began at 2:00 PM and concluded peacefully at 5:00 PM. Organisers vowed to continue their efforts until justice is served and the missing are returned to their families.
