Author: Zameen Zaag
The enforced disappearances in Balochistan have become an unending nightmare, eroding the fabric of our society and leaving scars on countless families. This cruel practice does not only claim the physical freedom of individuals but also inflicts a heavy toll on their families, friends, and the entire nation. Among these countless stories of suffering is the deeply harrowing tale of Rashid Hussain Baloch, whose enforced disappearance has now marked six painful years.
Rashid Hussain was more than a victim; he was a voice. A human rights activist and a member of Baloch Social Media Activists (BSMA), Rashid stood against the repression and injustice faced by the Baloch nation. His voice, however, became a threat to those seeking to silence dissent. On December 26, 2018, Rashid was detained by UAE intelligence agents in plain clothes. According to his family, days after his arrest, he was brought back to his residence, handcuffed, as his captors searched for his passport—an ominous sign of his planned extradition.
What followed was a chilling turn of events. Rashid’s abduction wasn’t an isolated act. A shadowy nexus of international powers appeared to play a role. Friends recall Chinese nationals visiting Rashid’s workplace days before his arrest. This suggests that his activism, seen as a threat by the states, was caught in the crosshairs of geopolitical interests, particularly involving China and Pakistan. On June 22, 2019, after months of silence, Rashid was extradited to Pakistan. Despite media announcements of his detention in connection with the Chinese consulate attack in Karachi, his whereabouts have remained unknown ever since.
Rashid’s disappearance was not the first tragedy to strike his family. The state had already martyred his brother Zia-ul-Rehman, his cousin Majeed Zehri, and his uncle Haji Mohammad Ramzan Zehri. His mother, Bas Khatoon, and niece, Mahzaib Baloch, have been relentless in their protests, traveling from Quetta to Karachi and Islamabad, demanding answers. His sister, Fareeda Baloch, has spearheaded campaigns on social media, yet six years later, their cries remain unanswered.
The pain of enforced disappearances goes beyond the loss of one individual. It is an assault on a family’s dignity and a community’s resolve. Every day of Rashid’s absence is a reminder of the systemic violence that has been normalized in Balochistan.
Rashid’s case set a dangerous precedent for targeting Baloch activists abroad. It was the first instance where a foreign state facilitated the abduction of a Baloch activist and handed them over to Pakistan. Tragically, this silence paved the way for more tragedies. Activists like Sajid Hussain, Karima Baloch, and Saqaib Kareem Baloch have since lost their lives under mysterious circumstances, their deaths silenced by complicity and fear. The failure to resist as a united people has emboldened oppressors to continue their reign of terror.
Moreover, Hafiz Baloch, a relative of Rashid Hussain, also faced a similar fate, abducted from the UAE and handed over to Pakistan. Each case highlights the grim reality: a world willing to ignore the systematic targeting of a colonized nation, and a society struggling against its chains.
As Balochistan mourns six years without Rashid Hussain, his disappearance serves as a chilling reminder of what happens when we remain silent. Slaves cannot expect freedom without resistance. Colonizers will not stop their oppression unless forced to confront a united front. Our unity is our strength, and our people are the mountains we must protect.
If we fail to resist, the cycle will continue. Another body will wash ashore, another activist will be silenced, and another family will be left to bear the unbearable weight of disappearance. The choice is ours: to rise as a nation or to endure as victims.
Rashid Hussain’s story demands justice—not just for him, but for all those who have disappeared. Let his name be a rallying cry for unity, resistance, and the unyielding pursuit of freedom.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Balochistan Post or any of its editors.