Ongoing Unrest in Balochistan: Forced Disappearances Elicit Concern and Outcry

A young man and several others have forcibly disappeared in Balochistan, allegedly detained by Pakistani forces. Human rights groups and families demand their release, highlighting a troubling pattern of enforced disappearances. The Balochistan Post reports over 55,000 missing across the region, sparking urgent appeals for intervention.

Amid sustained unrest in Balochistan, reports have emerged of a young man going missing after being detained by Pakistani forces in the Awaran district. According to The Balochistan Post, Khan Muhammad, son of Wahid Baksh, was allegedly arrested by Pakistani security forces on August 15 in Jhao Koharho. His family has since received no information about his whereabouts.

His family has reached out to several human rights organizations, along with political and social activists, seeking assistance in securing his release. In a similar case, Riaz Ahmed Baloch, a singer, was reported missing in Quetta after being abducted by Pakistani security forces on the evening of August 14.

Baloch, a resident of Jinnah Town, Killi Shabo, is believed to have been targeted for his singing. His family plans to hold a press conference to demand his release and outline further actions if he is not freed. In March 2024, post-graduate student Hafeez Baloch disappeared while protesting against Pakistani security forces' atrocities.

Another case is that of Javed Ali from Buleda's Mehnaz area, who went missing while traveling to Turbat on July 31, 2024. His family accused Pakistani security forces of forcibly disappearing him. Quetta, Kech, Mashkay, and Awaran are among the regions heavily affected by enforced disappearances. July saw numerous disappearances, part of a troubling 'kill and dump' policy by state actors like Pakistani intelligence and security forces, The Balochistan Post reports.

Enforced disappearances are an ongoing crisis in Balochistan, with reports indicating over 55,000 people missing across the region. Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, hold Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies responsible for these disappearances.

(With inputs from agencies.)