Enforced disappearances in Balochistan have been a long-standing issue that has plagued the region for decades. Baloch nationalists, activists, and international rights groups have accused Pakistani security forces of being responsible for the “enforced disappearances” of Baloch missing persons. They claim that the security forces detain activists, political workers, and nationalists on flimsy charges and frame them for crimes they have never committed. The number of people who have been subjected to “enforced disappearances” is believed to be in thousands, with many still missing to this day.
One of the most concerning aspects of the situation is the lack of accountability for security forces. There is a consensus among human rights groups that the security forces are operate with impunity, with no restrictions on their actions. This means that they can carry out “enforced disappearances” and other human rights violations without fear of being held accountable. This has led to a culture of impunity that has allowed the practice of “enforced disappearances” to continue unchecked for many years, they claim.
The impact of “enforced disappearances” on the families and loved ones of the missing persons cannot be overstated. Many families have been left in a state of limbo, unsure whether their loved ones are alive or dead, and unable to get any information or assistance from the authorities. In many cases, those who have been disappeared are believed to be languishing in prisons without any trials or prosecutions. This situation is unacceptable and demands urgent action to ensure that the rights of the Baloch people are protected and that justice is served.
The Balochistan Post carried out an independent investigation on “enforced disappearances” and concluded that the issue remains as prevalent as ever. In the first month of the new year, the Pakistani security forces “forcibly disappeared” 64 people from different areas of Balochistan. During the same period, 28 missing persons returned to their home – others remain missing to this day. Five dead bodies were also discovered in January.
The “enforced disappearances” of Baloch persons reported from different areas of Balochistan and Pakistan stood as follows:
- Kech: 19
- Quetta: 13
- Awaran: 8
- Noshki: 5
- Sibbi: 3
- Khuzdar: 2
- Karachi: 2
- Kalat: 1
- Hub: 1
- Mastung: 1
- Dera Bugti: 1
- Gichk: 1
- Dera Ghazi Khan: 1
- Hyderabad: 1
The five dead bodies were found in:
- Khuzdar: 2
- Quetta: 1
- Besema: 1
- Hub Chowki: 1
Details of the victims of ‘enforced disappearances’
The Balochistan Post independently verified the status of 40 individuals who were allegedly detained by the Pakistani security forces in January, 2023. A handful of these victims were released – others remain missing to this day.
The victims were:
- Liaquat Sakhi Dad: Detained from Turbat on January 1. Released on January 3
- Bakhtiar Shafi Mohd: Detained on from Turbat on January 1. Released on January 3
- Saeed Lohar: Detained from Dera Bugti in November 2022. Released on January 5
- Adnan Jamaldini s/o Haji Akbar Jamaldini: Detained from Nushki on January 14. Still missing
- Hamid Baloch s/o Bijjar: Detained on January 3. Still missing
- Khaliq Dad s/o Niaz Ahmed: Detained from Mashkay on January 1. Later released
- Wazir Ahmed s/o Ali Jan: Detained from Hub Chowki on January 13. Released on January 21
- Naqeeb Liaqat: Detained from Gomazi Tump on February 18, 2022. Released on January 4
- Naqeeb Jamaldini s/o Khairullah Jalamdini: Detained from Noshki on January 14. Still missing
- Abdul Khaliq s/o Ghulam Muhammad: Detained from Quetta on January 16. Still missing
- Zohaib Raisani: Detained on January 1from his home in Quetta. Still missing
- Noor Ahmed Muhammad Hassani: Detained from Quetta. Released on January 5
- Sohail Ahmed: Detained from Hyderabad. Released on January 3
- Kareem Baloch: Detained by the Pakistani security forces. Released on January 4
- Abdul Ghafoor s/o Abdullah: Detained from Awaran on January 2. Released on January 4
- Saud Nawaz: Detained from Winder, Lasbela, on October 25, 2022. Released on January 4
- Ahmed s/o Ashraf: Detained from Turbat on January 5. Released on January 7
- Abdul Haq s/o Jangi Khan: Detained from Mashkay on January 1st. Still missing
- Chakar Qayum: Detained from Karachi on October 16, 2022. Released on January 4
- Babul s/o Hussain Ahmed: Detained from Turbat on January 5. Released on January 7
- Mohd. Akbar s/o Gull Dad: Detained from Mashkay on January 1. Later released
- Nazeer Ahmed s/o Muhammad Akbar: Detained from Mashkay. Later released
- Yasir Basheer: Detained from Turbat in 2022. Released on January 6
- Umair s/o Dad Muhammad: Detained from Tump on January 6. Still missing
- Bahadur s/o Mehmood: Detained from Mashkay on January 1. Later released
- Shams Saleh s/o Master Saleh: Detained from Turbat on January 6. Released on January 9
- Shahzad: Detained from Turbat on January 6. Released on January 9
- Peer Jan s/o Sardu: Detained from Turbat on January 28, 2021. Released on February 6, 2023
- Bilal Ahmed s/o Abdul Ghafoor: Detained from Tump on January 6. Still missing
- Manzoor s/o Dad Karim: Detained from Gichk on January 6. Still missing
- Raza Muhammad s/o Sher Muhammad: Detained from Sibbi on January 10. Still missing
- Siraj Noor s/o Noor Muhammad: Detained from Geresha on December 31, 2022. Released on January 12
- Musadiq s/o Raheem: Detained from Tump on December 23, 2021. Released on January 13.
- Khalil Ahmed s/o Inayatullah: Detained from Nushki on December 27, 2022. Released on January 16
- Arif Hammad s/o Gajian: Detained from Geresha on December 31, 2022. Released on January 12
- Isa s/o Jangi Khan: Detained from Mashkay on January 17. Still missing
- Safiyan s/o Hanif Jamaldini: Detained from Nushki on December 29, 2022. Still missing
- Waheed Sakhi s/o Sakhi Dad: Detained from Quetta on November 22, 2022. Released on January 13
- Noroz s/o Noor Baksh: Detained from mad on January 13. Still missing
- Muzammil: Detained from Nushki on December 29. 2022. Still missing