Reports of enforced disappearances continue to rise in Balochistan, with several individuals allegedly taken into custody by Pakistani security forces in recent days. Incidents have been reported from multiple districts, adding to concerns over human rights violations in the region.
In the coastal city of Gwadar, two students, identified as Qasim s/o Miran from Faqir Colony and Arif s/o Ali Jan from Door Gwadar, were allegedly detained by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
A similar case was reported from Islamabad, where Sajjad Ishaq, a law student at the International Islamic University, was reportedly picked up near G-10 Sector. Sajjad, who had previously been subjected to enforced disappearance in Khuzdar, was released before being taken again.
Further reports from Barkhan in Kohlu district confirmed the identities of six individuals who had been missing since February 5, when security forces allegedly conducted raids in the Bala Dhaka area. The disappeared individuals have been identified as Naari Ismail s/o Haji Bangul, Zaman Shah s/o Ahmad Shah, Seltu s/o Dila, Dinmad s/o Mamad, Isu s/o Putto, and Banzo s/o Pir Bakhsh, all from the Mandani tribe. No information about their condition or whereabouts has been made available.
The rise in enforced disappearances has sparked widespread protests across Balochistan. Demonstrators have blocked major highways in Kalat, Kardegap, and Kech, while a protest in Surab was temporarily called off following assurances from authorities. Three separate sit-ins were also staged in Quetta, reflecting growing unrest over the issue.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that two more individuals, Aqil Jaleel Baloch from Washbod, Panjgur, and Waseem Hamza from Dasht, Kech, were allegedly taken by security forces. However, three previously disappeared individuals from Dera Bugti — Ashraf s/o Bhora Khan Bugti, Patto Khan s/o Siraj Bugti, Ayaz Bugti, and Rahu Bugti — have reportedly returned home after months in custody.
The recent surge in enforced disappearances has heightened tensions in Balochistan, with rights groups and activists calling for international intervention. According to a recent report by Paank, the human rights division of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), 48 individuals were allegedly forcibly disappeared in Balochistan in the first five days of March, and 5 were extrajudicially killed.