Award-winning Baloch rights activist and General Secretary of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, Sammi Deen Baloch, was stopped by immigration officials from leaving Pakistan at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport on Sunday.
Ms. Baloch, who was traveling to Muscat, Oman, stated on social media that her passport was withheld at the immigration desk. Officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed her that her name had been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) by the Balochistan government.
“I was told by the FIA that my name has been placed on the ECL, but I had received no prior notice or explanation,” she wrote. “I was detained for at least four hours, and my passport was confiscated.”
She also claimed that despite repeated requests, FIA officials did not provide any documentation to confirm her inclusion on the ECL. Ms. Baloch added that she believes her movements are being monitored by the authorities.
Meanwhile, Ireland-based human rights group Front Line Defenders condemned the barring of Ms. Baloch from leaving Pakistan. “This morning, Pakistani WHRD and laureate of Front Line Defenders’ annual award, Sammi Deen Baloch, was prevented from traveling and informed that she is on an exit control list,” the group posted on X. “We condemn this as an act of reprisal against her human rights work, particularly given protests in Balochistan in recent weeks and months.”