Reports have emerged of two more enforced disappearances in Balochistan, where abductions by security forces are a frequent occurrence. On August 28th, two individuals were reportedly detained and taken to undisclosed locations by Pakistani forces.
The first incident took place in Gwadar, where Naseebullah, the son of Haji Nazir Ahmed and a resident of Kharan district, was allegedly detained by Pakistani forces and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD). Naseebullah, who ran a shop in Gwadar, was reportedly taken in front of a shop near Grammar School and shifted to an unknown location. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) Kharan confirmed the incident, alleging that Naseebullah was targeted for opening his shop during the Baloch Raaji Muchi, also known as the Baloch National Gathering. The BYC and Naseebullah’s family have demanded his immediate release or his presentation in court, warning of strong protests if their demands are not met.
In a separate incident on the same day, another man, identified as Jawed, son of Abdul Wahid and a resident of Gokdan Turbat, went missing in the Kech district. According to reports, Jawed, a laborer, was allegedly detained by Pakistani forces after traveling to Satellite Town for work. Since his detention, his whereabouts remain unknown. His mother has appealed for his safe release, urging that if any charges exist against him, he should be brought before a court rather than being subjected to enforced disappearance.
Adding to these incidents, a journalist named Hayat Khan Khetran from Barkhan was reportedly abducted on the orders of a Frontier Corps (FC) Colonel. According to the journalist’s family, Hayat Khan was taken by Colonel Babar Khalil of the FC Kohlu 86 Wing, along with other personnel, and moved to an undisclosed location. Since then, the family has had no contact with him. They have accused the FC Colonel of orchestrating the disappearance and are calling for Hayat Khan’s immediate and safe return. The family has also appealed to the government, senior officials, and the journalist community for assistance, warning of strong protests if the authorities remain silent.
These incidents are part of a broader pattern of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, where human rights organizations estimate that over 55,000 people have gone missing. International campaign groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have accused Pakistani security forces of being responsible for these abductions, though the Pakistani military has consistently denied these allegations.