A large number of citizens and relatives of missing persons participated in the Turbat rally and demanded the recovery of the missing persons.
A protest rally was held in Turbat, the main city of Kech district of Balochistan, today, in which a large number of women, children, and youth participated. The aim of the rally was to record a protest by the relatives of the elder Baloch freedom fighter, Ustad Wahid Kambar Baloch, against the non-recovery, non-appearance in court, and lack of provision of a fair trial.
The rally was attended by local citizens of Turbat, relatives of missing persons, Wahid Kambar’s family, and leaders and workers of political organizations. The participants held pictures of Wahid Kambar and other missing persons and raised slogans against enforced disappearances.
Wahid Kambar, known as an active and respected figure in the Baloch independence movement, was abducted from Kerman, Iran, on July 19. His family and Baloch freedom fighters allege that he was abducted by Pakistani agents and transferred to Pakistan and is now in the custody of Pakistani forces.
Speaking at the Turbat rally, Wahid Kambar’s daughter, Mehlab Kambar Baloch, said, “My father has been a part of the Baloch political struggle and has always spoken about Baloch rights. Pakistan has abducted him and illegally imprisoned him.”
She said, “We demand that he be brought to justice and given a fair trial.”
Mehlab Kambar appealed to human rights organizations, especially the Red Cross, to intervene in the matter and provide protection to Wahid Kambar as a political prisoner.
Protesters demanded an end to enforced disappearances and the immediate recovery of Wahid Kambar. They said that the state’s efforts to silence freedom fighters through violence and pressure have worsened the situation.
Other relatives of the missing persons present at the rally also made demands for the recovery of their loved ones and alleged that instead of providing justice through courts and commissions, the state narrative was being reinforced.
During the rally, speakers said that the state’s policies to suppress the ongoing movement in Balochistan have further exacerbated the problems. Due to state violence, people are turning to armed organizations, which is creating more unrest in the region.
The rally participants finally demanded the immediate release of other Baloch political and non-political disappeared persons, including Wahid Kambar.