Four Baloch students, including a central leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), have reportedly been forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces in Karachi. The missing individuals have been identified as Mehraj Shad, a Central Committee member of the NDP, along with Doda Ellahi, Ghamshad, and Muzammil Baloch. The students were taken into custody at around 1:00 AM on Monday from Karachi’s Hassan Square area. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
Meanwhile, Ismail S/O Ibrahim, a resident of Mand (Kech) and a relative of Gamshad Baloch, also reportedly forcibly disappeared from Hassan Square Karachi last night in a separate incident. As per reports, he is currently working and residing in Dubai and arrived in Pakistan a month earlier for her mother’s medical treatment in Karachi.
According to The Balochistan Post, which meticulously documents all cases of enforced disappearances, at least 144 individuals (all men) forcibly disappeared in November alone, marking a sharp rise in such cases. The newspaper compiles data regarding atrocities, including enforced disappearances, committed by the Pakistani forces, on monthly basis.
Incidentally, the students hail from different parts of Balochistan. Doda Ellahi is a resident of Balnegor in Kech district, Ghamshad is from Mand, Muzammil is from Pasni, and Mehraj is from Absar, Turbat. All four had been living in Karachi for pursuing education. The Baloch students have to move out from their rural and urban homes as there are limited educational opportunities within Balochistan.
Meanwhile, Paank, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), expressed “deep concern” over the disappearances, calling it “a deeply troubling continuation of a pattern of enforced disappearances in Pakistan”. The group highlighted the re-abduction of Doda Ellahi and Ghamshad, stating: “Their re-abduction highlights the recurring vulnerability of individuals once released or accounted for.”
Paank described enforced disappearances as a “grave violation” of international human rights law. “These practices not only inflict untold suffering on the individuals abducted but also leave families and communities in a state of anguish and uncertainty,” the group added.
The organization urged the Pakistani government to “immediately disclose the whereabouts of Doda Ellahi, Ghamshad Baloch, Muzammil Baloch, and Mehraj Shad Baloch” and to ensure their safety and well-being. Paank called for their release or presentation before a court of law, in accordance with legal procedures.
The group also appealed for an end to the practice of enforced disappearances, stressing Pakistan’s obligations under international treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
Sammi Deen Baloch, a leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), condemned the incident. She questioned: “What law or constitution is being exclusively imposed on the Baloch people? Why are Baloch youth being subjected to enforced disappearances daily?”
Meanwhile, a 6th man has reportedly been forcibly disappeared in Balochistan’s Panjgur district by the Pakistan security forces. According to locals, the Pakistani Army raided Parom area of Panjgur and detained four young men a couple of days earlier. Later, Amanullah, son of Siddique, was summoned by the forces under the pretext of bail proceedings but was also taken into custody. He has not been seen since.
It should be noted that incidents of enforced disappearances of Baloch people have significantly increased in recent months. Rights groups allege that Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies are targeting Baloch individuals in retaliation for security failures, often acting “indiscriminately.”
in Dera Bugti, a man who had been missing for months has been recovered. Dilshad, son of Abid Bugti, was reportedly forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces on May 14 from Sui. His family confirmed that he has now returned home.
