At least eleven members of a single family were reportedly taken by Pakistani forces in Balochistan, as enforced disappearances rise in the region. The Baloch National Movement’s Human Rights Department condemned the actions, citing a specific incident where an elderly woman named Hayat Bibi was seized from her home in Khuzdar district on February 18. Her husband and two sons had faced similar disappearances in the past.
On February 8, seven more relatives were allegedly detained in Hub district and moved to undisclosed locations, with no information provided by Pakistani authorities regarding their status. The rights group Paank expressed alarm at the apparent targeting of this family and demanded transparency, safety, and due process for the detainees.
Paank’s recent report highlighted a concerning trend of human rights violations in Balochistan, focusing on enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of civilians. The organization documented 82 cases of enforced disappearances in January, indicating a systematic crackdown on Baloch civilians by security forces.
The report also revealed that 44 individuals were released after enduring severe abuse, pointing to coercive interrogation tactics being employed. Additionally, 12 cases of extrajudicial killings were confirmed during the same period, shedding light on the lethal consequences of unchecked state power in the region.
Paank emphasized the urgent need for independent investigations, accountability measures, and international oversight to safeguard vulnerable communities in Balochistan.
