UN Exposes Pakistan's Systematic Enforced Disappearances and Human Rights Abuses Across Multiple Regions

Political activists have raised significant concerns regarding human rights violations in Pakistan during a recent UN event.

At the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy hosted a side event titled "Enforced Disappearances in Pakistan: Amplifying Voices, Demanding Justice, Calling for Global Action."

Political representatives from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) highlighted alarming statistics about human rights abuses, identifying Pakistan as a regional leader in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial violations.

The gathering aimed to shed light on the escalating crisis of disappearances, give voice to victims and their families, and call for Pakistan to be held accountable under international law. Participants urged Islamabad to adhere to the UN Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

Fazal-ur-Rehman Afridi, a Pashtun political activist and member of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), reported widespread disappearances, torture, and killings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He emphasized that while PTM has been essential in advocating for Pashtun rights, the state continues to label them as terrorists and subject them to repression.

"This is a critical issue, and we've consistently informed the international community about enforced disappearances. We recently submitted 6,500 confirmed cases of enforced disappearances affecting only Pashtun people. Beyond Pashtuns, Sindhis and Balochis are also victims. The numbers are staggering, and we've informed the United Nations Human Rights Council about these enforced disappearances," Afridi told ANI.

Nasir Aziz Khan, an exiled activist from PoJK and spokesperson for the United Kashmir People's National Party, denounced violence against peaceful protesters in the region. He referenced the September 27 protests organized by the Awami Action Committee, during which Pakistani Rangers allegedly fired indiscriminately, resulting in multiple fatalities. Khan accused Pakistan of exploiting PoJK's resources since 1947 and called for UN intervention to safeguard local communities.

"Many people have disappeared, but recent events in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir have people fearing for their lives. More than 10 individuals have died since September 29 according to our reports. Pakistan is employing brutal force against civilians and peaceful protesters. They have killed and injured people, with hundreds imprisoned and subjected to torture. Through this international gathering, we urge United Nations intervention to protect Kashmiris living under Pakistan's occupation," Khan explained to ANI.

Dr. Habib Millat, former Canadian MP and President of the Global Center for Democratic Governance, characterized enforced disappearances as a "grave human rights concern."

Kamran Jatoi, a Sindhi activist with the World Sindhi Congress, described abuses in Sindh, noting that protesters against an Indus River canal project faced abduction and targeting. He called for an end to the misuse of Pakistan's anti-terrorism courts, which he claimed are used to suppress dissent.

The event concluded with participants collectively urging international pressure on Pakistan to end enforced disappearances, establish accountability measures, and uphold its citizens' fundamental rights.