The two lawyers who were allegedly subjected to ‘enforced disappearance’ by the Pakistani security forces in Quetta have reportedly returned home. Advocate Fida Baloch Dashti and Advocate Salahuddin Mengal were allegedly taken into custody by Pakistani forces, including the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agency personnel, from various locations in Quetta late at night. The legal community in Quetta has confirmed the recovery of their colleagues.
The recovery comes just a day after the Balochistan Bar Council and other lawers’ organizations issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the government and institutions, threatening severe protests if their colleagues were not recovered. The lawyers emphasized that the disappearance of legal custodians is tantamount to lawlessness and is unacceptable under any circumstances.
In response to the alleged enforced disappearance, the Balochistan Bar Council, Quetta Bar Association, and a large number of lawyers held a press conference. They stated that if their colleagues and bar members were not released within 48 hours and legal action was not taken against the abductors, their next course of action would be extremely severe. The lawyers reiterated that the disappearance of legal custodians is equivalent to lawlessness and is unacceptable in any situation.
Reports indicate that late at night, Pakistani forces and the Counter-Terrorism Department conducted raids in various areas of Quetta, taking Advocate Fida Ahmed Dashti and Advocate Salahuddin, son of Muhammad Ayub Mengal, into custody and transferring them to an undisclosed location. Since then, they had not been seen.
The lawyer organizations in Quetta stated that they stand with their colleagues and will launch a nationwide movement for their safe release and protection. At the end of the press conference, it was announced that there would be a complete boycott of judicial proceedings across Balochistan on Saturday.