At least 17 people have allegedly been forcibly disappeared in raids by Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Dera Bugti and Awaran districts of Balochistan, according to sources and rights groups.
Local sources said four men were taken into custody in Dera Bugti town on Wednesday and moved to an undisclosed location. They were identified as Waseem, son of Sharif Bugti; Mohammad Jan, son of Raheem Bugti; Mohammad Hussain, son of Shahzain Bugti; and Kaleero, son of Levi Bugti.
In nearby Pirkoh, at least six more men were picked up during late-night raids. Those missing were identified as Ali Hussain, son of Haji Bugti; Abdul Sattar, son of Kahoor Khan Bugti; Balak Sher, son of Taj Mohammad Bugti; Attah Mohammad, son of Ali Baig Bugti; Nawab Khan, son of Mor Khan Bugti; Siddiq, son of Sher Mohammad Bugti; and Gulzar, son of Shazo Bugti.
Locals allege that ISI and CTD personnel routinely accuse detainees of supporting exiled Baloch leader Nawab Brahumdagh Bugti. They said authorities then demand large sums of money for their release, often through local intermediaries such as government-backed militias or tribal elders.
“Those who can pay the ransom eventually see their relatives freed. Those who cannot are kept in custody for years without trial,” a resident told The Balochistan Post on condition of anonymity.
The Baloch Republican Party (BRP) condemned the raids, saying nearly 10 people were “illegally detained and labelled as supporters of Brahumdagh Bugti” in Dera Bugti and Pirkoh. In a statement, the party alleged that ISI and CTD demand millions of rupees through “death squads and waderas” in exchange for the release of abductees.
Meanwhile, Paank, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), said that on 1 September Pakistani forces raided homes in Ougar village of Mashkay, Awaran district, and forcibly disappeared seven men. They were identified as Hafeez, son of Imam Bakhsh; Huzoor, son of Dadal; Saleem, son of Muhammad; Aleem, son of Saleem; Samad, son of Kareem Bakhsh; Baran, son of Jamal; and Shakeel Baloch.
In another development, two young men, Usama and Sadaqat, who had been missing since 5 July after being taken from a shop in Gwadar, were released this week. Witnesses said both were forced into a vehicle by Pakistani forces and their detention was never acknowledged.
In Karachi, the CTD also released Sadiq Murad, who had been missing since 23 August. His family had staged a press conference at the Karachi Press Club demanding his recovery. Family members confirmed his return on Thursday.
News of his release brought some relief to families at a protest camp outside the Karachi Press Club, which has now entered its 31st day.
“His release gives us courage and reinforces our belief that the rest of the young men are also innocent and will one day return,” said Abdul Hameed Baloch, the father of missing student Zahid Baloch.
Families at the protest site said dozens of Baloch youths had been forcibly disappeared from Karachi in recent months, including Zahid Baloch, Sheeraz Baloch, Seelan Baloch, Sarfaraz Baloch, Rameez Baloch, Raheem Bakhsh Baloch and Rahman Baloch, among others.
Protesters said the disappearances had left households in deep psychological and economic distress, adding that children’s education had been disrupted and women were struggling to sustain their families.
“They are innocent, yet they have been unjustly imprisoned,” Mr Baloch said. He urged authorities to produce the missing in court if there are charges against them.
Families vowed to continue their sit-in until all missing persons are recovered.
Human rights groups have long documented enforced disappearances in Balochistan and Karachi, claiming thousands have gone missing over the past two decades, and urging Pakistani authorities to disclose the whereabouts of the victims and end what they describe as a “heinous practice.”