Dr. Mahrang Baloch, organizer of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), has voiced concerns over an alleged rise in enforced disappearances and violence against Baloch students in Balochistan and Punjab.
In a post on the social media platform X, Dr. Baloch said there has been a “rapid increase of enforced disappearances of Baloch students in different areas of Balochistan and educational institutions of Punjab.” She highlighted the case of Hamid Baloch, a University of Sargodha student, who was allegedly taken by state intelligence agencies.
“Yesterday, Hamid Baloch s/o of Khan Muhammad and a resident of Buleda, Kech, was forcibly disappeared from Bahadur Shah Zafar Road in Sargodha,” she said. Dr. Baloch claimed that Hamid, a sociology student, has not been presented in court, and his family has received no information about his whereabouts.
Dr. Baloch also referred to an incident at Punjab University in Lahore, where members of the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami reportedly attacked Baloch students. She said, “Instead of providing protection and justice, the university administration and police harassed the Baloch students,” leading to the detention of around ten students.
The Baloch Students Council (BSC) Islamabad also released a statement condemning what it described as a “surge in violence, harassment, and enforced disappearances” targeting Baloch students. The council referenced the abduction of Hamid Baloch and the attack on students at Punjab University, describing these incidents as “institutionalized discrimination.”
The BSC accused authorities of using the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law to suppress dissent and said that several Baloch students have been detained under this law. They criticized universities for allegedly failing to ensure the safety of Baloch students.
Background of Incidents
Hamid Baloch, a student from Balochistan’s Kech district enrolled in the 7th semester of sociology at the University of Sargodha, was reportedly forcibly disappeared from Bahadur Shah Road in Sargodha. His family and fellow students have demanded his immediate release, but his whereabouts remain unknown.
On Monday, Baloch students at Punjab University were reportedly attacked by members of Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing. At least five Baloch students were injured, with reports suggesting that firearms were also used in the attack. Two students sustained critical injuries. The Baloch Students Council Lahore said that police detained over 20 Baloch students following the incident.
Baloch students also said that they face regular discrimination and violence in educational institutions in Punjab, claiming they are often racially profiled and targeted.
Protest Rally and Demands
On Tuesday, the Baloch Students’ Council held a protest rally against what they described as the illegal detention of Baloch students and attacks by Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing at Punjab University.
The protesters issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the university administration and Punjab police to release the detained students. “Otherwise, we will be forced to take strict action, for which the administration of Punjab University and Punjab police will be held responsible,” they said.
Spokesperson for the BSC condemned the reported attacks on Baloch students residing in Punjab University hostels. The spokesperson claimed that Jamiat had formed a “gang” within the university and alleged that they had colluded with police to carry out attacks on Baloch students using knives, sticks, and other weapons.