Lawyers across Balochistan’s Makran Division have announced a boycott of court proceedings in protest against what they describe as a breakdown of law and order, a rise in enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings allegedly carried out by Pakistani security forces.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the Makran High Court Bar, Kech Bar Association, Gwadar Bar Association, and Panjgur Bar Association said all court activities would be suspended on Thursday, 19 June.
The lawyers cited growing insecurity, harassment, and what they called “unconstitutional actions” by state forces. They said the boycott is a peaceful and constitutional measure aimed at upholding the rule of law and protecting civil liberties.
“All lawyers have been directed not to attend any court proceedings on Thursday,” the statement read, adding that emergency cases would be exempted from the boycott.
The bar associations expressed concern over recent reports of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and increasing harassment of lawyers and their families in the region.
“The rule of law in Balochistan is under serious threat, and the legal community no longer feels safe,” the statement said.
The protest comes amid reports of severe human rights abuses in Makran, particularly in the districts of Kech, Gwadar, and Panjgur.
On 16 June, Pakistani forces allegedly killed a man identified as Salam, son of Haider, in Gwadar. Local sources said Salam had previously been subjected to enforced disappearance and was killed in custody.
According to the same sources, his body was buried by authorities without notifying the family, prompting public outrage and street protests in the coastal city.
In recent weeks, multiple individuals have reportedly been detained by Pakistani forces across Makran and subsequently disappeared.
Lawyers say the protest is not only a response to these incidents but also a call to state institutions to honour their constitutional responsibilities and end the targeting of civilians and legal professionals.