Enforced disappearances have plagued Balochistan for over two decades, but in recent years, there has been a noticeable rise in the abduction of Baloch women. On May 29, Mahjabeen Baloch was forcibly disappeared from the nursing hostel of Civil Hospital in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan. Her brother, Muhammad Younis, had already been abducted on May 21 from their home in the Basima area of Washuk district. Mahjabeen Baloch’s family has long been subjected to state repression. Due to their association with the Baloch national struggle, several members of her family have either been forcibly disappeared or extra-judicially killed.
In the first five months of 2025 alone, there has been a significant increase in enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Yet, instead of addressing this grave human rights issue with the seriousness it demands, Balochistan’s controversial government continues to follow the policies of the powerful establishment in a bid to retain power, effectively ignoring this human tragedy. Meanwhile, international human rights organisations continue to express deep concern over the suppression of the Baloch issue through state violence and the imprisonment of political leaders.
Five prominent global human rights organisations: Amnesty International, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, Front Line Defenders, International Federation for Human Rights, and World Organisation Against Torture, have raised their voices against enforced disappearances and extra-legal state policies in Balochistan. These organisations also sent a letter to Pakistan’s Prime Minister demanding the release of political leaders detained under the 3MPO and an end to state repression, a clear indication that human rights violations in Balochistan can no longer be denied.
Even after two decades, Pakistan’s powerful institutions remain unwilling to accept the reality that the abductions of Baloch women and arrests of political leaders will not bring an end to the Baloch national struggle. Rather, the state’s current policies and lack of serious engagement will not succeed in quelling political resistance, they will only further fuel the national movement.