Pakistani forces have reportedly detained several young Baloch women in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district during a pamphlet distribution campaign for the ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi’ (Baloch National Gathering).
According to the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), the women were detained by Frontier Corps (FC) personnel on Khand Road in Khuzdar city. The detainees include Saira Baloch, sister of forcibly disappeared individuals Asif and Rasheed, and Sadia Baloch, sister of Salman.
Baloch activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch condemned the detentions. In a post on ‘X’, she said: “This act is akin to pouring oil on a fire. The incompetent rulers and institutions of this state have no idea what they are doing. If Saira, Sadia, and other Baloch sisters are not released immediately, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) will soon announce its next course of action.”
Local sources reported that Saira and the other detained women are being transported in FC vehicles to an undisclosed location. In response to the arrests, protests erupted in the area, with reports of gunfire on those who were protesting.
Rights groups and activists have strongly condemned the detentions. The Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), PAANK, posted on ‘X’: “Pakistani forces have surrounded Saira Baloch and other family members of forcibly disappeared individuals, illegally detaining several women. PAANK condemns these actions and calls for their immediate release. Such abuses must not be tolerated.”
Baloch Voice for Justice also condemned the detentions on social media, stating: “Saira Baloch, Saadia Baloch, and other female comrades have been illegally detained by the FC and agencies while they were distributing pamphlets for the Baloch National Gathering. This is state terrorism.”
The BYC has appealed to human rights organizations to take immediate notice of the situation and advocate for the release of the detained women.