In continuing atrocities committed by Pakistan security forces, at least seven people have been “forcibly disappeared’’ across Balochistan’s Panjgur, Kech, and Quetta districts. The missing individuals have been identified as Mahmood, son of Mahfooz; Nauman Rafiq; Raheel Ali; Roshan Ali; Adam Ghulam Jan; Naseem Basheer; and Hafiz Ali.
Mahmood was reportedly taken into custody a few days ago in Isa, Panjgur, and has been missing since. In Turbat, a military operation has been underway in the Behman area for several days. It may be mentioned here that a week ago, Baloch rebels had killed at least 22 Pakistan Army personnel in coordinated attacks at several places.
This had forced Pakistan Army chief to visit Quetta in Balochistan to meet senior commanders and issue instructions for protecting Chinese nationals engaged in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) works. The Baloch rebels are fighting for an independent Balochistan and often target CPEC related projects.
On Tuesday night, Pakistani forces raided homes and detained five individuals—Nauman Rafiq, Raheel Ali, Roshan Ali, Adam Ghulam Jan, and Naseem Basheer.
Speaking about the phenomenon of “enforced disappearances’’, senior Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) leader Maulana Abdul Gafoor Haideri has said that anti-Pakistan slogans are now rised in many parts of Balochistan. He was speaking before members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on Thursday. He said that in Baloch areas, the Pakistan national flag is no longer hosted in schools. The locals have also adopted their own anthem.
He said that in creating a sense of deep alienation, the issue of “enforced disappearances’’ was a critical factor. He cautioned the leaders that Balochistan’s unrest should not be seen through only the recent unrest but rather in the broad historical context dating back to 1958.
Meanwhile, in Quetta, Hafiz Ali, a resident of Kharan, was taken into custody from Quetta Hotel, where he had brought his mother for medical treatment. His whereabouts remain unknown. It should be noted that Hafiz Ali’s brother, Mubarak, was also “forcibly disappeared’’ the day before in Kharan after being detained by Pakistani forces. In response, their family and Baloch activists have launched protests in Kharan’s Red Zone, demanding the safe recovery of both brothers.
A protest rally was held in Gwadar by the family of Muslim Baloch, who was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces. According to the family, Muslim, son of Ahmed Ali, was taken from his home in Shambay Ismail, Gwadar, on December 10, 2024, and has been missing since.
A large number of women, children, and youth attended the protest, chanting slogans against enforced disappearances. The family demanded Muslim Baloch’s immediate release, stating that if he or any other individual is accused of a crime, they should be presented in a court of law. They alleged that Baloch individuals continue to be detained based on their ethnic identity, subjected to enforced disappearances and torture instead of due process.
Saima Malang, a resident of Aapsar, Turbat, also held a press conference at Turbat Press Club alongside female relatives, stating that her brother Waseem Malang was forcibly disappeared on Friday night while sleeping at home. She alleged that eight vehicles carrying armed personnel raided their house and abducted Waseem Malang. Some of the personnel were in black uniforms, while others wore plain clothes.
She described the use of force during the raid, stating that women and children were subjected to violence, mobile phones and other belongings were seized, and elderly family members were mistreated.
She further said that some personnel spoke Urdu while others spoke Balochi and carried a photograph of a man with long hair, asking about his whereabouts. “The forces locked the women inside the house, while my elderly father and younger brother were left outside in the cold and threatened not to resist,” she added.
Rehmat Khan Marri, a farmer from Dasht Mirani Dam, held a press conference at Turbat Press Club, demanding the recovery of his elder brother Sanwal Khan Marri, who has been missing for 12 years. According to Rehmat Khan, his brother Sanwal Khan Marri, son of Ahmed Khan Marri, was forcibly disappeared on February 13, 2013, from Notal National Highway in Sibi, Bakhtiarabad, while traveling from Sindh to Kohlu.
“I was kept in custody for 13 months before being released, but my brother remains missing to this day,” he added. Rehmat Khan further said that despite filing multiple petitions and attending JIT hearings, authorities have failed to provide any answers about his brother’s fate.
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