At an ongoing protest camp against enforced disappearances outside the Quetta Press Club, the mother of Saeed Ahmed Shahwani made an emotional plea. Shahwani, a Levies force official from Mastung, has been missing since 2013.
Mr. Shahwani was reportedly last seen near Mastung’s Ladha area on August 29, 2013. He was allegedly taken into custody by Pakistani forces, and his whereabouts have since remained a mystery.
In her appeal, Saeed’s mother described a life overshadowed by her son’s absence and lamented that their efforts for justice have largely been in vain. Her distress is compounded by the passing of Saeed’s father earlier this year, who, until his death, had campaigned for his son’s return.
The late Mr. Shahwani, a retired Levies employee, had approached various officials, from the Commissioner of Mastung to the Chief Minister of Balochistan, seeking answers. He had insisted that if his son was guilty of any crime, the due process of law should be followed. In 2018, he reportedly received assurances from Major General Nadeem Anjum about his son’s return, which, according to the family, were never honoured.
The case of Saeed Ahmed Shahwani underscores a disturbing trend of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Various segments of society, from students, teachers, activists to local law enforcement officials, are affected. While numerous accounts and reports point to the involvement of Pakistani security forces in these disappearances, the lack of transparency and accountability remains a significant concern. These ongoing cases not only spotlight individual tragedies but also amplify international calls for a comprehensive review of the human rights situation in Balochistan