The ongoing protest by the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) demanding the recovery of enforced disappeared persons and an end to extrajudicial killings in Balochistan has entered its 5,879th day. Led by executive committee member, Niaz Mohammad Nichari, the protest camp remains stationed outside the Quetta Press Club.
In his statement, Niaz Nichari condemned the government’s lack of tangible steps towards addressing the humanitarian crisis of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. He stated that despite years of appeals and protests, the state continues to violate both human rights and national laws under the guise of safeguarding national security, perpetuating the cycle of forced disappearances.
“Despite the persistent demands of the Baloch people, no effective action has been taken to resolve the issue of enforced disappearances,” Nichari said. “State institutions are continuing to commit serious human rights violations, and the issue of missing persons remains unresolved.”
Nichari also highlighted the deepening frustration and anger among the people of Balochistan, caused by the lack of progress in locating and releasing the missing persons. He emphasized that the extrajudicial killings of these individuals during detention are fueling widespread resentment across the region.
He further called on the government and state institutions to take immediate and concrete action, urging them to end the practice of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. “The government must unconditionally release all missing persons and address the issue within the framework of the country’s laws to bring an end to the growing unrest in Balochistan,” Nichari demanded.
The protest, which has been ongoing for nearly 16 years, has drawn widespread attention to the issue of forced disappearances in Balochistan, with family members of the missing persons demanding justice and accountability. VBMP has called for international recognition of the issue and greater pressure on the Pakistani government to take decisive action.