Enforced Disappearances Persist in Balochistan as VBMP Protest Enters 6,074th Day

SHAAL, Balochistan: The long-running protest camp organised by Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) against enforced disappearances in Balochistan has entered its 6,074th consecutive day outside the Quetta Press Club, despite severe winter weather conditions.

Led by VBMP Chairman Nasrullah Baloch, the protest continues to demand an end to enforced disappearances and the recovery of individuals detained by Pakistani state security agencies. VBMP maintains that its campaign is peaceful and grounded in constitutional and legal principles.

During the protest, the family of Abdul Fateh Bangulzai raised renewed concerns regarding his prolonged enforced disappearance. Abdul Fateh son of Rasool Bakhsh, was detained by Pakistani security forces on 23 May 2014 from the Spillanji area of Mastung district. His disappearance has been acknowledged by Pakistan’s official commission on enforced disappearances, which confirmed that he was taken into custody by state institutions.

According to the family, the commission issued a production order for Abdul Fatah in 2022, requiring authorities to present him before a court. However, more than a decade after his disappearance, he has neither been produced before any judicial authority nor has his family received information regarding his whereabouts or condition.

VBMP stated that approximately 700 production orders have been issued by the commission in similar cases, yet implementation remains largely absent. The organisation reported that it formally approached Pakistan’s Supreme Court regarding the failure to enforce these orders. While assurances were reportedly given, VBMP claims that no effective action has been taken to date.

In addition to long-standing cases, several new incidents of enforced disappearance were reported in early February 2026, highlighting the continuing pattern of abuses.

On 8 February 2026, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Pakistani forces raided a residence in Baloch Colony, Hub Chowki, and detained Sohrab Baloch son of Amin Yaqoob, a resident of Dazin, Tump. He has since been forcibly disappeared.

According to family members, this is the third time Sohrab Baloch has been subjected to enforced disappearance. He was previously detained in 2017 for four days and again in 2019, when he was released after forty days. His family has demanded that authorities disclose his whereabouts and ensure his immediate and safe release.

In a separate case, on 6 February 2026, Pakistani forces detained Imdad Baloch son of Saeed Ahmed, from Salala Bazar in Turbat, district Kech. He was subsequently subjected to enforced disappearance. Imdad is a resident of Balgatar. His family has appealed to senior state authorities, the judiciary, and international human rights organisations to intervene, emphasising that if he is accused of any offence, he should be charged and presented before a court in accordance with Pakistan’s legal obligations.

Another reported case involves a minor, Ilyas Baloch son of Mir Sultan Mulazai, who was detained on 2 February 2026 from Killi Gazgi, Mastung. The family stated that he has since been forcibly disappeared. Relatives and local activists have urged authorities and human rights bodies to take urgent notice, stressing that the detention of a minor without due process constitutes a serious violation of international law.

Human rights groups have long raised concerns over enforced disappearances in Balochistan, urging Pakistan to comply with domestic court orders and its international obligations, including protections under international human rights law. Families of the disappeared continue to call for transparency, accountability and an end to the practice of secret detention.