Balochistan: A disturbing escalation in human rights violations has emerged in Balochistan, with numerous cases of enforced disappearances and state violence reported in recent days across several districts, including Kech, Gwadar, Khuzdar and even Karachi.
Over the past week, at least 10 individuals were forcibly detained by Pakistani security forces without legal justification. While 8 of them—detained on April 12 from Dasht Maksar in Kech district were released the same day, their brief captivity was marked by brutal physical and psychological torture. The victims include:
- Sabir, son of Miah
- Abdulla, son of Miah
- Shakir, son of Miah
- Dad Rehman, son of Wahid Bakhsh
- Hussain, son of Raza Muhammad
- Waseem Imam, son of Imam Bakhsh
- Siraj Ahmed, son of Ellahi Bakhsh
- Begbar Bashir, son of Bashir Ahmed
Meanwhile, two other individuals Nizam Noor, a student from Gwadar, and Hafizur Rehman, a student from Khuzdar remain missing, with no information available about their whereabouts since their abductions on April 12 and March 14, respectively.
These incidents are part of a larger, systematic campaign of enforced disappearances. In the last three days alone, several more Baloch citizens have been abducted, including students, minors, and professionals:
- Zaid Baloch, son of Abdul Rehman, from Gwadar (April 8)
- Usman Baloch, son of Naseer Ahmed, from Danuk, Kech (March 10)
- Muhammad Ismail, son of Lashkari, from Killi Gudmal Arra, Kharan (April 10)
- Muhammad Hayat, a 13-year-old boy, and Sewa, son of Nadi Bugti, both abducted in broad daylight from Sui, Dera Bugti (April 11)
- Akhtar Baloch, a mechanic, abducted from the Kalri Saragowat area of Karachi (April 11)
PAANK further said, The disappearances reflect an alarming and persistent pattern of arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and repression targeting the Baloch population. These acts are carried out without legal processes and often affect individuals with no links to any criminal activity.
Adding to the crisis, on April 7, 2025, a peaceful protest in Wadh, Khuzdar, was met with lethal force by Pakistani security forces. Inayatullah Baloch, son of Majeed Lehri and a resident of Wadh, succumbed to injuries sustained from direct firing by Pakistani security forces. Several others were injured during the crackdown, turning a peaceful demonstration into a deadly tragedy.
The Baloch human rights organization PAANK has strongly condemned these violations, stating that the current wave of Enforce disappearances and violence underscores the Pakistani state’s systematic policy of fear and suppression in Balochistan. PAANK calls for:
- Independent investigations into all cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial violence
- Immediate and unconditional release of all forcibly disappeared individuals
- Justice for the victims of torture and killings
- Accountability for the perpetrators under national and international law
Despite repeated appeals, the pattern of violence and impunity continues, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. The unresolved disappearances of students like Nizam Noor and Hafizur Rehman, and the killing of Inayatullah Baloch, serve as grim reminders of the dangers faced daily by the Baloch people.
PAANK has once again urged international human rights bodies to intervene and pressure the Pakistani state to halt its oppressive actions in Balochistan and bring justice to the victims.
