The sister of Shahzaib Satakzai, a member of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) killed in an attack on a Pakistani military camp in Kalat, has accused authorities of refusing to release his body to the family.
In a video shared on social media, she said the family went to the civil hospital to retrieve the body but were told to contact the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD). When they approached the CTD, they were directed to take the matter to the court in Kalat.
Despite following these instructions, the family says they have been unable to claim the body. “We are still waiting for his remains, but the authorities have refused to release them,” she said.
She called on Baloch political and human rights activists to accompany her to the hospital on Wednesday in an effort to retrieve her brother’s remains.
It is worth noting that in Balochistan, families of fighters killed in clashes with Pakistani forces often face significant challenges in reclaiming their loved ones’ bodies.
Activists allege that hospital administrations, acting on the orders of authorities, frequently deny access to the remains or impose conditions for their release.
Rights groups say families are sometimes pressured to sign documents, which are later used by officials as propaganda against insurgent groups and political organizations.
The refusal to release bodies has drawn criticism from activists, who argue it violates human dignity and international human rights norms.