Nine musicians, including prominent artist Ustad Arif Mazar, were reportedly detained by Pakistani forces following a raid in Balochistan’s Turbat.
The raid took place around 9 PM on Tuesday at the Kech Culture Center, where the entire staff was taken into custody. Local sources say the musicians were held overnight before being transferred to police custody.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) condemned what it described as the “illegal abduction” of the artists, saying they were subjected to “torture and harassment” before being held in a military cantonment and then transferred to police custody. BYC said the musicians were held without legal grounds until later released.
“This grave injustice inflicted upon our esteemed artists and musicians highlights the stark reality faced by Baloch artists, who, rather than being nurtured and celebrated for their cultural contributions and talents, endure severe human rights violations and harassment,” the BYC posted on X. The group called for national and international attention to ensure the safety of Baloch artists.