QUETTA: The issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan continues to escalate, with several individuals forcibly taken by Pakistani forces in recent weeks. This has sparked widespread protests and growing calls for justice, as well as the immediate release of those who have been forcibly disappeared.
On December 3, 202, the relatives of Syed Hussain Shah and his son, Akhtar Shah, have staged a protest on the Quetta-Karachi highway since Tuesday morning, demanding the safe return of their loved ones, who were forcibly disappeared by the Pakistani military.
The protest, which has resulted in a major roadblock, has caused significant delays for hundreds of passengers and freight vehicles. Despite the ongoing demonstration, there has been no communication from local authorities or the military regarding the protesters’ demands.
Syed Hussain Shah, an elderly man, was abducted along with more than 40 other individuals from the Askalko area in Kalat just a few days ago.
According to local sources, during the offensive, Pakistani forces raided several houses, subjected people to torture, and confined families to their homes.
His son, Syed Akhtar Shah, was previously abducted during a raid in Pirandrani Abad, Kalat, a year ago. The family demands the safe return of both men and has vowed to continue the protest until they are released.
Meanwhile, in Dera Bugti, three individuals named as Jawaho son of Barri Bugti, Jona son of Nokhaaf Bugti and Sikandar son of Ajab Khan Bugti were forcibly disappeared during a raid by Pakistani forces in the village of Patokh in Siyah Aaf.
Residents complained that the forces looted homes during the attack, leading to the abductions.
These disappearances occurred shortly after the visit of Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti to the region. Locals allege that enforced disappearances have escalated since the visit, with government-backed militias being supplied with more weapons.
On December 3, 2024, the forced disappearance of Mumtaz Murad, a Baloch man from Khuzdar, was raised by the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP).
His brother, Imtiaz Murad, reported to the VBMP that Mumtaz was forcibly arrested by the forces on September 6, 2022, at Farooq Chowk in Khuzdar, and has been missing ever since. This marks the third time Mumtaz has been subjected to enforced disappearance.
According to Imtiaz, his brother was previously taken in 2016, released after seven months, and again abducted in November 2017, only to be freed two years later. The family fears for his safety and has called for his immediate release.
Nasrullah Baloch, Chairman of VBMP, assured that the case would be brought to the attention of both national authorities and international organizations, including the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances.
He urged the government to take immediate action to ensure Mumtaz’s safe return and to end the growing number of enforced disappearances affecting Baloch families.
On December 1, 2024, in Kech district, Balochistan, Pakistani forces reportedly detained and forcibly disappeared two individuals during a military offensive targeting areas including Geshtardan, Nawanu, and Khan Klug in Zamran.
The missing persons, identified as Shoaib, son of Mulla Salam, and Pazeer, son of Fateh Mohammad, were taken while tending to their cattle in Gishtardan. Their families are unaware of their whereabouts, and the lack of information has caused distress and anxiety within the community.
On November 30, 2024, two Baloch youths—Safar Khan and Nabi Dad, sons of Hamran—were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani intelligence agencies in Dukki Bazaar.
The two youths were arrested that day, but their whereabouts remain unknown, and they have not been presented before any court or legal authority. The lack of information has left their families deeply distressed, as they remain in the dark about the young men’s fate.
On November 29, 2024, Baran, son of Faqir Muhammad from Pirandar Garai in Tehsil Mashky, District Awaran, was detained and forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces during a raid on his home. This is not the first time Baran has been targeted; he was previously abducted in 2019 and disappeared for three years before being released.
The family is once again demanding Baran’s immediate release, fearing for his safety as he is held incommunicado by the authorities.
On November 25, 2024, the situation in Bela worsened, with a young man named Imtiaz, son of Nazir Baloch, forcibly disappeared by the military while traveling from Quetta to Bela. Imtiaz is a first-semester student of BS Public Finance at Bahauddin Zakariya University.
The family reports that Imtiaz was abducted by Pakistani forces and taken to an unknown location.
His relatives have demanded his immediate release and have joined the growing number of voices calling for an end to enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
Students at Lasbela Agriculture University, along with the family members of Bayan Dur, a student forcibly disappeared from Uthal City on November 29th, have already staged a sit-in protest in front of the university, demanding his safe recovery.
Bayan Dur’s father, Mureed Khan, an elderly schoolteacher struggling to make ends meet, has left his home to lead the protest for his son’s return.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has expressed solidarity with the families, urging international organisations to raise their voices in support of the forcibly disappeared individuals.
BYC has called on human rights organisations and civil society to stand against these horrific crimes targeting peaceful Baloch students and civilians.
“In particular, we call on the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances to take immediate and pre-emptive measures to hold Pakistani authorities accountable for their crimes against humanity and the Baloch nation,” the BYC demanded.