The sit-in protest against the enforced disappearance of Zaheer Baloch, allegedly abducted by Pakistani forces from Quetta on June 27, entered its third day on Thursday.
Zaheer Baloch’s family led the protest in the Sariab area of Quetta, blocking the road and bringing traffic to a halt. The protest has drawn significant attention and participation from various groups.
Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leader Agha Zubair Shah and other PTM members visited the sit-in to show solidarity with the protesters. Shah had been detained a few days ago and was released on Wednesday night.
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Last Friday, Zaheer’s wife held a press conference in Quetta, appealing for his urgent recovery. She warned that if he is not released, she will lead major protests in collaboration with local groups advocating for missing persons in Balochistan.
On Wednesday, a rally was held in Quetta to demand Zaheer’s recovery. The rally, led by prominent Baloch activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), saw participation from families of missing persons and other Quetta residents. Protesters carried banners and placards, chanting slogans against enforced disappearances as they marched through Quetta’s streets.
Negotiations between Zahee’s family and the district administration have so far failed to yield results, prompting the continued sit-in. The protesters are demanding that an FIR be filed against the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) for Zaheer Ahmed’s enforced disappearance and that he be presented in court.
Zaheer Baloch’s wife, speaking to the media on Thursday, said her husband has been missing since June 27 and that they have been protesting for the past three days with no response from the authorities.
She announced the launch of a social media campaign on Friday on ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter) for the safe recovery of Zaheer Baloch. She appealed to the Baloch people, along with all political, social, and human rights representatives, to participate and amplify their voices.