Four individuals have been reportedly forcibly disappeared by Pakistani law-enforcement agencies in two separate raids from Balochistan’s capital city of Quetta.
According to reports, Pakistani forces raided a house in the Muneer Ahmed Road area of the city on Tuesday night, allegedly detaining a man identified as Muhammad Hassan Bangulzai, son of Muhammad Akram Bangulzai. During the raid, the forces reportedly used violence and damaged valuables in the house.
In the past, Bangulzai’s family members have reportedly fallen victim to enforced disappearances. His family is now demanding his immediate and safe recovery.
In another incident, security forces in Quetta reportedly detained a Baloch woman and her two children, relocating them to an undisclosed location. The incident has sparked alarm and calls for immediate action from human rights organizations.
According to a statement by the Baloch National Movement’s human rights arm, PANK, the security forces conducted a raid on August 28 at the United Hotel in Quetta. During the operation, Noor Khatoon, a Baloch woman, along with her son Abdul Ghaffar and daughter Banuri, all residents of Sibi Badra, were apprehended and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.
PANK has strongly urged both human rights institutions and the government to promptly intervene and secure the release of the detained Baloch woman and her two children. The organization’s spokesperson emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of the detainees.
This incident sheds light on the distressing trend of forced disappearances of Baloch women in Balochistan. Prior to this case, Mahal Baloch, along with her children, faced a similar ordeal in Quetta earlier this year. Mahal Baloch was eventually released on bail after months of uncertainty.
Balochistan has witnessed reports of forced disappearances involving Baloch women from various regions including Karachi, Awaran, and Kech. Government authorities and security forces have, at times, accused these women of affiliation with Baloch armed organizations, a claim that human rights advocates vehemently contest.
As the situation unfolds, civil society organizations and concerned citizens are demanding an immediate response from both the local and national authorities, urging them to uphold human rights and the rule of law.
In another development, a seminar was held on Wednesday in Quetta, organized by the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) in connection with the International Day of Violence-Affected Persons. VBMP is an organization founded by the families of enforced disappearance victims.
Furthermore, the hunger strike for the safe recovery of the missing individuals from Balochistan, Asif and Rasheed has entered its second day in front of the Islamabad Press Club. Yesterday, the families of the missing Asif and Rasheed organized a protest rally that saw participation from people representing different schools of thought.