Escalating Crisis: Missing Baloch Man Deportation Sparks Concerns

A young Baloch man, Asad Baloch, has vanished following his forced deportation from Bahrain to Pakistan. His family demands his release amid reports of increasing enforced disappearances in Balochistan, raising alarms over the legality of such actions.

Amid escalating reports of enforced disappearances and abuse in Balochistan by Pakistani forces, a young Baloch man has reportedly gone missing after being forcibly deported from Bahrain. The Balochistan Post reported that Asad Baloch, a resident of Mand Kanik, was detained and deported by Bahraini authorities on August 28, without charges or explanation.

Upon his arrival at Karachi airport on August 29, Baloch was allegedly abducted by Pakistani authorities. His current whereabouts remain unknown, causing significant distress to his family. They are calling for his immediate release, emphasizing the necessity for legal proceedings if any crimes are suspected. The case draws parallels to a 2018 incident where another Baloch individual, Rashid Hussain, disappeared after deportation from the UAE to Pakistan.

This incident highlights growing concerns over the deportation of Baloch individuals at risk in Pakistan from Gulf nations. In 2022, businessman Hafeez Baloch suffered a similar fate, only resurfacing after five months in a Karachi jail and subsequently being acquitted. Reports indicate ongoing enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan, with particularly high incidences in Kech, Quetta, and Panjgur districts, exacerbating the distress among families of the missing.

(With inputs from agencies.)