A protest is set to take place in Quetta on June 8 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Baloch student leader Zakir Majeed Baloch.
In a video message, Zakir Majeed’s mother recounted the day her son was taken into custody by Pakistani forces and intelligence personnel 15 years ago. She expressed her enduring pain and continued hope for his return. “Every day has been a struggle since Zakir was taken from us,” she said, appealing for his safe return.
Zakir Majeed’s sister and mother have been relentless in their pursuit of justice over these fifteen years. They have engaged in various forms of protest, including leading long marches from Quetta to Karachi and Islamabad, and organizing numerous demonstrations at press clubs in these cities. Despite their efforts, Zakir Majeed remains missing.
Zakir Majeed, a prominent leader of the Baloch Students Organization-Azad (BSO-Azad), was detained by Pakistani security forces in Mastung on June 8, 2009. His whereabouts, along with those of thousands of others who have disappeared under similar circumstances, remain unknown as their families continue to hope for their safe return.
In addition to the planned protest by the family, Baloch social media activists (BSMA) have initiated a campaign to raise awareness about Zakir Majeed’s enforced disappearance and the broader issue of enforced disappearances in the region.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for BSO-Azad said that June 8 is annually observed as Baloch Missing Persons’ Day. The organization has announced a week-long social media campaign to mark the day and draw attention to the ongoing issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
BSO-Azad’s campaign will include various activities and calls for participation from former detainees, families of missing persons, human rights advocates, and political and social workers, as well as the general public, to participate and make their voices heard.