Baloch leader and head of Balochistan National Party, Akhtar Mengal, has alleged that as many as 235 persons including 9 women have went missing from Balochistan in the so-called ‘New Pakistan’ era.
New Pakistan is the term referred to Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan’s election pledges when he promised that the country will embark on new paths.
Imran Khan had also promised to Akhtar Mengal in return of parliamentary support that all the missing persons will be released.
However, Akhtar Mengal in a statement alleged that the abductions have continued and more than 5000 persons are currently missing.
Akhtar Mengal said that from 25th July 2018 to 30 October 2018 along with 235 disappearances nearly 45 mutilated dead bodies have also surfaced.
He alleged that Pakistani forces also abducted a 70 year old man and three women from Panjgur.
He added that the forcible disappearances continue and due to threats the victim families are too afraid to follow legal proceedings to secure the release of their loved ones.
He said Pakistani intelligence agencies have also demanded ransom in many cases.
Balochistan is plagued by the enforced disappearances of Baloch youth and activists. However, recent instances of ‘women and children abductions’ have also been reported.
International campaign groups including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International accuse Pakistani security forces as the perpetrators of ‘illegal abductions in Balochistan’.