The Balochistan provincial government, led by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, has approved the ‘Balochistan Prevention, Detention and Deradicalisation Rules 2025,’ sparking fears of legalized enforced disappearances in the region. The decision allows for the detention of disappeared individuals in custody centers for interrogation, a move criticized for violating human rights.
Critics argue that the government’s attempt to grant legal cover to enforced disappearances contradicts Pakistan’s constitution and aims to suppress dissent against state repression. Despite international concerns raised by organizations like the United Nations and Amnesty International, the government denies the existence of enforced disappearances while approving rules that could deepen the crisis.
Human rights organizations, including the Human Rights Council of Balochistan, have rejected the government’s claims of resolving the issue of missing persons permanently. The HRCB documented numerous cases of enforced disappearances, emphasizing that the situation remains unresolved and constitutes a grave violation of human rights.
The Baloch National Movement’s Human Rights Department also condemned the government’s approval of the Balochistan Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Rules 2025, stating that the legislation could normalize arbitrary arrests and abuse. The move to establish detention centers without judicial oversight raises concerns about legalizing enforced disappearances under a different guise.
