Protests against enforced disappearances are intensifying across Balochistan, with demonstrations and hunger strike camps held in multiple regions. From Zehri to Hub Chowki, affected families and supporters have taken to the streets, blocking highways, observing strikes, and demanding justice.
Protests in Zehri
In Tehsil Zehri, Khuzdar district, protests erupted following overnight raids by Pakistani security forces that allegedly resulted in the enforced disappearance of several individuals. Zehri Bazaar observed a complete shutter-down strike, while major highways, including the Quetta-Karachi CPEC route, were blocked by demonstrators, including a significant number of women.
Protesters identified the missing individuals as:
- Khalid, son of Abdul Sammad
- Shabbir, son of Ali Akbar
- Zubair, son of Muhammad Ishaq
- Faiz, son of Ali Akbar
- Imran, son of Akbar
- Bilal, son of Ali
- Akbar Nadir, son of Sarwar
- Jahanzaib, son of Abdul Khaliq Lotani
- Fardeen, son of Kareem
- Fahad, son of Ali Akbar
The protesters have vowed to continue their demonstrations until all missing persons are released. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee(BYC) in Surab expressed support, highlighting that enforced disappearances are becoming increasingly severe. They urged human rights organisations to take immediate action and raise awareness about the issue on a global scale.
Hunger Strike Camp in Hub Chowki
In the industrial city of Hub Chowki, a three-day hunger strike camp organised by the families of two missing brothers, Junaid Hameed and Yasir Hameed, concluded today. The brothers were allegedly disappeared by Pakistani security forces in October last year from Hub Chowki and Kalat.
On the final day of the camp, the families led a protest rally from Hub Press Club, marching through various streets before concluding outside the press club.
The hunger strike camp saw participation from families of other missing persons, members of the BYC, political activists, and residents. Among the participants were the mother of Baloch activist Rashid Hussain, the sister of BSO-Azad student leader Shabbir Baloch, and families of missing individuals including Chakar Khan Bugti, Noroz Islam, Nasir Jan, and Zaheer Baloch from Panjgur.
Addressing the rally, Yasmeen, sister of the missing brothers Junaid and Yasir Hameed, said, “My brothers have been in illegal custody for three months. We still have no answers about the charges against them or their supposed crime. They are hardworking individuals with no ties to politics or unlawful activities. Their abduction is a blatant violation of the constitution and the law.”
Seema Baloch, sister of missing student leader Shabbir Baloch, shared her ordeal: “I have been protesting since 2016 for my brother’s recovery. Protesting outside press clubs has become a part of our daily lives, yet the judiciary, law enforcement, and state institutions have failed us. No one answers our questions. All we ask for is our loved ones’ freedom—is that a crime too?”
The mother of Rashid Hussain expressed her anguish, stating, “Six years have passed, yet courts, commissions, and JITs have not delivered justice. I am still forced to protest for my son’s recovery. Is seeking justice for my child also a crime?”
Speakers from the BYC, including members from Hub and Karachi, emphasised that enforced disappearances in Balochistan are not new, but the apathy of state institutions is worsening.
They demanded the immediate release of all missing persons and called for an end to the inhumane practice of enforced disappearances. “If these families are protesting in Hub Chowki today, remember that tomorrow people from every corner of Balochistan will rise for justice,” they warned.
Other family members reiterated their demands for the government to produce their loved ones in court and take legal action if there are any charges against them. They condemned the torment caused by enforced disappearances and called it a gross violation of justice.
The protesters announced that this is only the beginning and warned that if their loved ones are not recovered soon, the scope of the protests would expand across the entire province.
Meanwhile, the protest camp set in Quetta by the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons(VBMP) has been ongoing for 5697 days against enforced disappearances.
Nine More Disappeared in Dera Bugti Amidst These Protests
According to reports from Dera Bugti district, Balochistan, Pakistani forces have allegedly detained at least nine individuals during a raid and transferred them to an undisclosed location.
The missing individuals have been identified as:
- Rustam, son of Ali Sher Bugti
- Sikandar, son of Ali Khan Bugti
- Muhammad, son of Hashim Bugti
- Ali Sher, son of Janghiyan Bugti
- Jamal Din, son of Shah Mir Bugti
- Dad Khan, son of Akhlaq Bugti
- Moj Ali, son of Janghiyan Bugti
- Sundar, son of Aali Bugti
- Aali, son of Shah Mir Bugti
As per sources, the raid occurred in the Sui area of Dera Bugti, specifically targeting the Hamzani Colony. Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, along with Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) forces, allegedly looted homes during the operation and subjected residents to severe physical abuse.
While nine individuals have been officially identified as missing, local sources suggest that the actual number of those abducted could be higher.
This incident adds to the growing concerns over enforced disappearances in Balochistan.