Balochistan Crisis: 10 People, Including Teen, Allegedly Disappear
Ten people, including a 15-year-old, have allegedly disappeared in Balochistan. Four others were recovered as protests against forced disappearances continue.
A wave of alarm has gripped Balochistan as reports emerge of ten people, including a 15-year-old student, allegedly being forcibly disappeared in separate incidents across the province. While the news of new disappearances has sparked outrage, there is a slight glimmer of hope as four men, who had previously gone missing, were reportedly recovered in the Kech district.
Details of the Disappearances
According to a report by The Balochistan Post (TBP), the disappearances occurred in various locations, with four of the cases being recorded in the provincial capital, Quetta. Local sources have leveled serious allegations against state security apparatuses, accusing personnel from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI), and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of being involved in these forced disappearances.
Among those missing is a 15-year-old student, highlighting the vulnerability of minors in the region. Meanwhile, in a separate development, four men who had been allegedly forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces in the Kech district were recovered in Turbat between October 25 and 28.
A Protest That Won't End
The crisis has fueled a long-standing movement for justice. The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) continues its relentless protest outside the Quetta Press Club—a demonstration that has now entered its 6,408th day. The protest camp recently saw visits from prominent figures, including Comrade Manzoor Baloch and Inqilab Communist Party leader Karim Parhad.
The protesters are demanding the immediate recovery of all missing persons and have strongly condemned alleged extrajudicial killings. Nasrullah Baloch, the chairman of VBMP, emphasized that these actions are a direct violation of the Constitution, the law, and fundamental human rights, leaving families in a state of perpetual agony.
"Anyone accused of an offence should be produced before a court and given an opportunity to defend themselves," stated Nasrullah Baloch, urging the government to ensure the safe return of the missing.
Demands for Accountability
The VBMP is calling for more than just the return of the missing; they are demanding transparency. Nasrullah Baloch has urged the government to conduct transparent investigations to identify those responsible for these disappearances and ensure they are held accountable. He stressed that the resolution to these issues must be found through democratic, legal, and constitutional means rather than the application of force.
A Pattern of Enforced Disappearances
The current situation is part of a broader, systemic concern in Balochistan. Families and human rights organizations have frequently protested against detentions at undisclosed locations, demanding that prisoners be produced in court.
Data from the Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) paints a grim picture. A report from September documented 54 enforced disappearances, which included:
- Nine teenagers
- Two women
- One young girl
While the HRCB recorded 11 reappearances and four deaths in custody during that reporting period, the vast majority of those reported missing remain unaccounted for, leaving their families in a desperate search for answers.