“Enforced disappearances” have been a long-standing human rights issue in Balochistan for over two decades: thousands of Baloch nationalists, activists, journalists, student leaders, and political and social workers have been detained, allegedly at the hands of the Pakistani security forces. Rights groups claim that security forces often apprehend these individuals on spurious charges, subsequently framing them for crimes they have not committed. A handful of these ‘missing persons’ are released weeks, months or years later – most never see the light of the day again.
At a time when enforced disappearances have once again spiked in Balochistan, The Balochistan Post carried out an independent investigation to uncover the truth and clear out any confusion surrounding the issue. The findings of the report underscore the urgent need for the international rights groups to address the issue and demand the government to put an end to the abuses that are being perpetrated in Balochistan. As activists and human rights groups clame for action, The Balochistan Post’s investigation serves as a clarion call for greater accountability and serves as a stark reminder that enforced disappearances cannot be allowed to continue unchallenged in Balochistan.
Findings:
The TBP report looked into several reported cases of ‘enforced disappearances’ throughout Balochistan and concluded that the security forces had detained at least 50 individuals. Furthermore, 16 missing persons were released and 6 dead bodies were also found.
The ‘enforced disappearances’ reported from different areas of Balochistan and Pakistan stood as follows:
- Quetta: 13
- Panjgur: 13
- Gwadar: 5
- Barkhan: 3
- Kech: 3
- Mashkay: 2
- Mand: 2
- Noshki: 2
- Harnai: 1
- Kalat: 1
- Karachi: 1
- Awaran: 1
The five dead bodies were found in:
- Barkhan: 3
- Awaran: 1
- Chaghi: 1
- Hub Chowki: 1
Details of the victims of ‘enforced disappearances’
The Balochistan Post independently verified the status of the following individuals as missing persons. A handful of these were released soon afterwards, but a majority of them remain missing to this day.
- Bus Khatoon: Detained from Quetta on February. Later released
- Muhammad Raheem: Detained from Quetta on February 6. Still missing
- Rashida: Detained from Quetta on February 6. Later released
- Waheed Baloch: Detained form Gichk on February 18. Still missing
- Yahya Baloch: Detained from Quetta on February 6. Later released
- Zaman Baloch: Detained from Turbat on February 11. Later released
- Naseem Baloch: Detained from Gichk on February 18. Later released
- Dua Baloch: Detained from Quetta on February 6. Later released
- Jangan: Detained from Gichk on February 18. Still missing
- Manzoor Baloch: Detained from Gichk on February 18. Still missing.
- Mahal Baloch: Detained from Quetta on February 18. Still missing
- Dad Shah: Detained from Mashkay on February 22. Still missing
- Kamran Murad: Detained by security forces on February 22. Still missing
- Hasil Baloch s/o Mohd Hassan: Detained by security forces. Still missing
- Khuwaja Muzammil: Detained by forces from Quetta on February 26. Later released
- Nazeer Ahmed s/o Noor Muhammad: Detained by security forces. Still missing
- Rizwan s/o Mola Baksh: Detained by from Jiwani on February 22. Still missing
- Jalil Ahmed s/o Nuhaq: Detained by security forces. Still missing
- Arshad Baloch: Detained from Kech on February 25. Still missing
- Saeed Ullah: Detained from Mashkay on February 22. Still missing
- Faiz Muhammad s/o Dil Murad: Detained by security forces on February 22. Still missing
- Waheed s/o Aziz: Detained by forces on February 22. Still missing
- Hameed: Detained from Awaran on February 24. Still missing