The central spokesperson of Baloch Students Organisation-Azad (BSO-Azad), Sholan Baloch, has said that the organisation observes 8 June as Baloch Missing Persons Day to remember Baloch individuals who, according to the group, have been subjected to enforced disappearance and to highlight what it describes as ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesperson said that enforced disappearances have become a persistent issue in Balochistan, affecting people from various walks of life, including students, political activists, journalists, teachers, farmers, traders, drivers and other civilians. The statement also claimed that elderly people, women and children have been among those affected.
Citing figures compiled by the organisation, BSO-Azad stated that 1,223 people were allegedly subjected to enforced disappearance in 2025, of whom 832 remain missing. The organisation further claimed that additional cases go unreported due to fear among affected families.
The spokesperson described enforced disappearances as a serious human rights concern and criticised international human rights organisations for what the group sees as an inadequate response to the issue. According to the statement, families of missing persons continue to face uncertainty and psychological distress, while former detainees have allegedly reported experiences of severe physical and mental trauma.
BSO-Azad also argued that the issue has had a wider impact on daily life in Balochistan, creating a sense of insecurity among many families. The organisation accused Pakistani authorities of using enforced disappearances as a means of suppressing political dissent and the broader Baloch nationalist movement.
The Pakistani state has repeatedly denied allegations of involvement in enforced disappearances as a matter of policy. Officials have maintained that security operations in Balochistan are conducted within the framework of law and are aimed at countering militancy and maintaining public order. The issue of missing persons, however, remains a longstanding point of contention between human rights groups, Baloch political organisations and state institutions.
BSO-Azad said that 8 June was designated as Baloch Missing Persons Day in connection with the disappearance of its former vice-chairman, Zakir Majeed, who was allegedly detained in Mastung on the same date and whose whereabouts remain unknown, according to the organisation.
The group said the day is observed in remembrance of all missing persons and their families and reaffirmed its commitment to campaigning for their recovery and raising awareness of the issue.