Balochistan: Nursing Student’s Detention Sparks Protests and Family Concerns About Her Well-being
SHAAL, BALOCHISTAN: The detention and disappearance of a nursing student, Khadija Baloch, also identified as Khadija daughter of Pir Jan, has sparked protests and raised serious concerns among her family in Balochistan. Khadija, a seventh-semester BS Nursing student whose final examinations are scheduled to begin on April 28, was taken into custody on the night of April 21, 2026, during a raid on a girls’ hostel at Bolan Medical College in Quetta.
According to her family, personnel from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and other security agencies carried out the operation and detained her without providing any clear reason, subsequently transferring her to an undisclosed location. They say that she was subjected to physical abuse during the arrest, which caused fear and panic among other students present in the hostel.
Family members further added that Khadija had previously appeared before the CTD in Turbat on March 14, 2026, after being summoned for questioning and was cleared following the inquiry. They argue that her subsequent detention despite this earlier clearance is unjustified. The family also says no formal First Information Report (FIR) or case has been registered against her and that they have not been provided any official information regarding her condition or whereabouts.
At a press conference held at the Turbat Press Club, Khadija’s parents expressed concern that she may be under pressure to give a false statement, adding that any statement obtained during custody would have no legal validity. They have rejected all allegations against her as baseless, maintaining that she has no involvement in any illegal activities.
Meanwhile, students at Bolan Medical College have staged a sit-in protest for three consecutive days, demanding information about Khadija and calling for her release. Protesters have also condemned security forces for entering the hostel and conducting raids.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee stated that the protest has continued without any progress from the administration, accusing authorities of harassing demonstrators under the pretext of negotiations, including profiling participants and taking photographs. The committee warned that any harm to protesters would be the responsibility of local police, accusing them of failing in their duties and instead intimidating civilians.
Activists and family members have also raised broader concerns about an ongoing pattern of Pakistani security forces under which initially individuals are subjected to enforced disappearance and later presented as arrested, sometimes with statements linking them to militant groups.
The family has demanded that Khadija be immediately recovered and presented before a court, stating that if there are any charges against her, she should be granted the right to a fair trial in accordance with the law, otherwise she should be released so that she can prepare and take part in her exams.
They, along with advocacy groups, have appealed to national and international organisations to take notice of the situation.
