Pakistani security forces have allegedly detained a student of the University of Balochistan, Quetta, from Hub Chowki and moved him to an undisclosed location, in yet another case of enforced disappearance in the region. The missing student has been identified as Kiya Baloch, son of Mohammad Ashraf, a resident of Mashkay Kallar.
According to family sources, Kiya Baloch, who was enrolled in the Literature Department at Balochistan University and was in his second semester, was taken into custody by Pakistani forces in Hub Chowki. His family has confirmed his disappearance and has demanded his immediate release.
A Pattern of Enforced Disappearances in Balochistan
Enforced disappearances have become a persistent issue in Balochistan, where security forces are accused of abducting activists, students, and intellectuals under the pretext of counterinsurgency operations. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly raised concerns over the abduction of Baloch individuals without due process. Families of missing persons have been struggling for years, demanding justice and the safe return of their loved ones, but with little success. Many of the disappeared individuals either remain missing for years or later turn up as victims of extrajudicial killings.
Mass Protests and Arrests of Baloch Activists
In recent months, Balochistan has witnessed an escalation of protests against enforced disappearances. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a prominent organization advocating for human rights in the region, has been at the forefront of these demonstrations. The protests have gained significant traction, with thousands of people, including students, activists, and families of the missing persons, taking to the streets in Karachi, and across Balochistan.
However, in response to these mass protests, Pakistani authorities allegedly used violence and also arrested several BYC leaders including Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen, and Bebarg Baloch, further fueling unrest and public outrage. Activists argue that the state is trying to silence dissent through intimidation and unlawful detentions.
International and Domestic Outcry
The ongoing crisis in Balochistan has sparked international condemnation, with human rights organizations calling on the Pakistani government to end enforced disappearances and respect civil liberties. Meanwhile, within Pakistan, various political and social groups have urged authorities to address the grievances of the Baloch people and engage in dialogue rather than repression.
As the family of Kiya Baloch, along with many others, anxiously awaits news of their missing loved ones, the crisis in Balochistan continues to intensify, drawing attention to the urgent need for accountability and justice in the region.