Pakistani Forces Continue Enforced Disappearances of Baloch Civilians: Human Rights Crisis Deepens

The concerning pattern of enforced disappearances continues to plague Balochistan. (Representational)

QUETTA:

Multiple human rights organizations expressed serious alarm on Wednesday following the forced disappearance of three Baloch civilians by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan.

This incident highlights the persistent cycle of persecution occurring amid a growing wave of enforced disappearances throughout the province.

According to Paank, the Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement, Pakistan's Frontier Corps (FC) personnel forcibly abducted two residents from the Zehri Bhapaw area in Khuzdar district, Balochistan, on September 30.

The abducted individuals were identified as 22-year-old Haq Nawaz, who worked as a driver, and 33-year-old Hidayatullah, a farmer. Both were taken from their hometown and remain missing since their abduction.

In a separate incident, another Baloch civilian named Mohammad Ismail Zehri, a shopkeeper residing in Kahn within the Zehri region, was illegally detained by Pakistani forces on October 12. His current location remains unknown.

"Enforced disappearances constitute a grave violation of human rights and are classified as a crime under international law," Paank declared in their statement.

Another human rights organization, Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ), also condemned these atrocities against Baloch civilians and urged Pakistani authorities to immediately disclose the fate and whereabouts of the missing individuals while ensuring their safe and unconditional release.

The organization called for the urgent recovery of Haq Nawaz, Hidayatullah, and Ismail Zehri, while criticizing the ongoing repression and enforced disappearances carried out by Pakistani forces in the Zehri region.

Earlier on Tuesday, BVJ reported that two students, 20-year-old Farhan and 22-year-old Irfan, were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces on October 11.

Farhan was abducted from Kalm Chowk, while Irfan was taken from another location within the Chitkan region in Panjgur district. Both students remain missing, with their families left uninformed about their fate or condition.

BVJ emphasized that these disappearances form part of a disturbing and systematic pattern targeting Baloch students, activists, and civilians under the pretext of "state security."

"The ongoing practice of enforced disappearances violates multiple provisions of international law, including the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," stated the rights organization.

"Subjecting students to arbitrary detention and secret imprisonment represents an attempt to silence educated Baloch youth and suppress voices demanding justice and equality. These actions erode public trust, devastate families, and perpetuate fear throughout Balochistan," they added.