A human rights organization has strongly criticized the enforced disappearances of four individuals in Balochistan by Pakistani security forces and intelligence agencies. The Baloch National Movement’s Human Rights Department, known as Paank, emphasized the severe violations of international human rights law and urged authorities to reveal the whereabouts of the missing persons promptly. Enforced disappearance is a grave breach of human rights law, depriving individuals of their freedom and legal protection.
Arif, a laborer from Dasht Sholig, was forcibly disappeared on July 24 from Palliri in Gwadar, as per Paank’s documented cases. The reports indicate the possible involvement of Pakistan’s Military Intelligence (MI) in this incident. Similarly, Atiq Khetran, a resident of Barkhan, was taken from his home on July 21 by Pakistani state security forces, according to Paank’s information.
Meeran Baloch, a 25-year-old student from Kulaan in Kharan, was reportedly disappeared for the third time on July 23 in Quetta. The rights body mentioned the suspected role of Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department in this case. Another individual, Nasir Baloch, an 18-year-old student from Quetta, went missing on March 27 from Sariab Road. The reports point towards the involvement of Pakistani Intelligence Agencies and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
Paank urged the Pakistani government to disclose the fate and location of these missing persons, ensure their release or fair trial, and conduct thorough investigations into these incidents. The organization emphasized the need for Pakistan to adhere to international human rights standards by ending enforced disappearances and providing justice to the victims and their families.
