Authors: Asghar Ali and Sami Parvez
Sajid Hussain, a resident of Kech, Turbat and a renowned journalist escaped Pakistan due to security concerns and threat to his life. Back in his student life, Sajid also participated in student politics of Baloch Student Organization (BSO). After his graduation in English literature, he started his career as sub-editor for a newspaper called Daily Times in Karachi. Later, he also worked with The News International. Currently, he is the Editor-in-Chief of Balochistan Times.
Sajid Hussain has always been the voice of voiceless people of Balochistan. He reported on the human rights violations, the drug smuggling and the enforced disappearances that are prevalent in Balochistan. It is always fraught with danger to report on such issues in Pakistan. Pakistan is among the most dangerous countries for the journalists. In 2017, World Press Freedom Index, which is prepared by an international media advocacy group – Reporters without Borders – ranked Pakistan 139th out of 180 worst country for the journalists.
Hence, when it comes to Balochistan, the situation for journalists portrays a worst scenario. Since the “the fifth wave of insurgency” in Balochistan started, Balochistan has become a “black hole of information”. The international media is totally kept away from reporting and the local as well as national media are either tamed to parrot “the state sponsored narrative” or in case of rebellious reporting have to face the wrath of the angels of death and destruction. In short, speaking on or writing about Balochistan is forbidden; otherwise, you will be condemned: either banished or face the death.
Sajid, while eating the forbidden fruit was lucky enough to escape to Oman. He then moved to UAE. For some time, he also stayed in Uganda handling a small-scale family business. His love affair with journalism was getting matured. He had fully realized the importance of the reason of banishment from his Heaven and ‘Balochistan Times’ was the daughter of his journalistic enterprise that surely as well as continuously ignited the wrath of angels back in Heaven.
Later, on September 2017, he arrived in Sweden where he claimed asylum. Currently, he is pursuing post-graduation from Uppsala University in Sweden. Furthermore, Sajid’s family was about to join him in Sweden later this year, to be united after 8 years of distancing.
On March 28th, 2020, Balochistan Times announced the news of Sajid Hussain’s disappearance. Mr. Hussain went missing on March 2nd, 2020 from the Uppsala city of Sweden where he moved from Sweden’s capital city Stockholm for the purpose of continuing his master degree. No doubt, the news of his disappearance came as a shock and disbelief to everyone, his family, friends, fans and even foes.
The reaction of Sajid Hussain mysterious disappearance was so strong and sharp that it spread like a wildfire. Numerous international human rights organizations like Amnesty, Press Freedom, Reporters without Borders and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), urged the Swedish authorities to find the Sajid Hussain as soon as possible. In addition, number of international journalists and media houses, like BBC, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian and several other well-reputed newspapers and TV channels covered the story of Sajid Hussain’s disappearance. Similarly, social media activists and political parties particularly from Balochistan raised awareness campaign about the disappearance of Sajid Hussain.
Despite Sweden being one of the safest countries in the world; the numerous cases of disappearance are still an issue. Every year, hundreds of refugees disappear in Sweden and it appears Sajid Hussain might have suffered the same fate.
Since Sajid Hussain is from Balochistan, the fear naturally creeps into the mind that other possibilities cannot be out rightly ignored. That is the reason the Baloch political party, Baloch National Movement’s information secretary has also expressed his concern that Pakistan might be behind the abduction of Sajid Hussain. The disappearance of Sajid Hussain has created a state of fear and uncertainty among the Baloch refugees in Europe and other parts of the world. Mr. Khan, a Baloch refugee in Germany showed his worries, “In case, ISI (Inter Service Intelligence— Pakistan’s spy agency) is involved in the abduction of Sajid, then they can target anyone of us anytime.”
Abdul Qadeer Baloch, known as Mama Qadeer, a prominent human rights activist and the vice president of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons tweeted that his tweet on Sajid Hussain disappearances was reported to twitter by the government of Pakistan. On contacting him, he said, “same night I also received unknown phone calls and they warned me to stop tweeting about Sajid Hussain otherwise severe action will be taken against you.”
The clock is ticking down and after more than 40 days, there is no news yet about Sajid’s whereabouts and well-being. So far, no one knows the real culprits behind this crime. No possibilities can be ignored and rejected at this time. But it is the prime responsibility of Swedish authorities to dot the i’s and cross the t’s of this case.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Balochistan Post or any of its editors.