In the district of Kech, protests against enforced disappearances have continued into a second day in Turbat and Shapuk, leading to major disruptions on key highways.
In Turbat, relatives of Azeez Baloch, who was reportedly detained by Pakistani forces in Buleda, have gathered at D Baloch’s location for a second consecutive day. As a result, the highway connecting Turbat to Gwadar and Karachi remains completely closed.
Protesters are demanding the immediate release of Azeez Baloch and are calling for an end to the harassment of their families. They argue that accusations against individuals should be legally proven in court, challenging the legality of enforced disappearances.
Meanwhile, in Shapuk, the protest on the M8 highway linking Turbat to Quetta also continued for a second day. The demonstrators, primarily women, are demanding the return of Naeem Rahmat, a student from Turbat University who was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces and has been missing for two years.
It should be noted that local residents, including Rahmat’s family, had blocked the M8 highway at Shapuk earlier this month. However, after reassurances from the district administration, they called off their protest after six days.
The situation intensified on Tuesday morning when unidentified individuals attempted to drive a vehicle into the crowd of protesters in Shapuk. Despite this, women and children at the Shapuk protest persevered, continuing their demands for the safe recovery of Naeem Rahmat and other missing individuals.