A rally organized by the families of victims of enforced disappearances saw significant public participation on the eleventh day of their sit-in protest in Turbat.
The rally began at Maulana Abdul Haq Baloch Chowk, where participants carried placards and banners demanding the recovery of missing persons and an end to enforced disappearances in Balochistan. They also displayed pictures of their loved ones who have been missing for months and years.
Before the rally started, a large number of families and relatives from Buleda and Zamuran, including women, children, and the elderly, joined the protest.
The participants marched from Maulana Abdul Haq Baloch Chowk through the main bazaar and concluded at Shaheed Fida Chowk, where families of the missing persons addressed the crowd.
Arif Baloch, father of Muslim Arif from Buleda, said it had been a year since his son went missing. Despite appealing to every institution for his recovery, he said they had only received false assurances.
Meeran Baloch, son of Jan Muhammad, stated his father had been missing for twelve years. “We are still unaware of his whereabouts. I am on the streets to find out where my father is,” he said.
Seventy-year-old Mayar Baloch said it had been a year since his son went missing. “I cannot bear the pain of my son’s absence. I have even marched to Islamabad for his recovery, but justice has not been served,” he remarked.
Families from Paidrak, Kech said their missing youths were the breadwinners of their homes and had been missing for a year. “We are forced to take to the streets for their recovery,” they said.
The elderly mother of Nisar Kareem tearfully pleaded for the return of her son. “Please have mercy on me. My son is my only support. I need justice,” she said.
The family of Jahanzeb Fazal said he was taken from his shop a year ago and is still missing. “We have followed legal routes for justice, but protesting seems to be our last resort,” they explained.
The family of Waleed Yousaf added that he was taken from home last night. “False cases have been made, and our brother has disappeared. We have no choice but to protest,” they said.
The families also accused state institutions of pressuring them to sign documents stating that their missing young men were involved in illegal activities, which they say are false. They refused to sign any papers based on such accusations.