A human rights organization has accused Pakistani forces of carrying out an extrajudicial killing in Balochistan, sparking concerns over human rights violations in the region. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) reported that a 30-year-old farmer named Ubaid Ullah was fatally shot on March 20 near Hajika Cross by Pakistan’s Frontier Corps, who later labeled him as a militant. The BYC claimed that civilians in Balochistan are not safe from Pakistani forces, often being killed or disappeared and then branded as militants.
The BYC stated that there seems to be a lack of rule of law in the region, with some referring to it as an undeclared form of martial law. Condemning the killing as part of ongoing oppression by Pakistani forces, the BYC called for an immediate halt to such actions. The organization urged international human rights bodies to address the abuses, seek transparency, accountability, and safeguard civilian lives in Balochistan.
According to the BYC’s recent report, the human rights situation in Balochistan significantly worsened in January and February, highlighting violations of fundamental human rights by Pakistani authorities. The report noted a surge in violence and lawlessness during this period, with Baloch identity being a primary target of state-sanctioned violence. The BYC emphasized that state violence in the region is historical and systematic, aiming to maintain control over land, resources, and people, and suppress any resistance by the indigenous population.
The findings revealed a notable increase in enforced disappearances, with 86 cases in January and 102 cases in February. Moreover, extrajudicial killings of civilians rose following Baloch insurgent attacks on state and government installations. In February alone, 46 civilians, including 5 minors, were reported killed. The BYC highlighted the continued use of systematic torture and inhuman treatment, restricting fundamental freedoms and subjecting Baloch citizens to collective punishment.
