The families of Baloch missing persons continue their peaceful protests for the recovery of their loved ones. In Karachi, the sit-in against enforced disappearances entered its 35th day on Monday, while in Islamabad, the protest led by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) demanding the release of its leaders and an end to enforced disappearances has completed 55 days.
At the protest camp outside Karachi Press Club, Abdul Hameed Baloch, father of missing youth Zahid Ali Baloch, told the media that despite suffering from a liver disease, he was forced to protest for his son’s recovery. He said Zahid had recently graduated from Karachi University and was driving a rickshaw to support his family. “My son was a hardworking and harmless young man. If there are any allegations against him, he should be presented in court. The law should be equal for all,” he stressed. Human rights activists say that many Baloch youths from Karachi are missing, including Shiraz Baloch, Selan Baloch, Sarfaraz Baloch, Rameez Baloch, Raheem Bakhsh Baloch and Rehman Baloch. Families say enforced disappearances have left them under severe psychological stress and financial hardship.
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, the protest entered its 55th day, where women, children and the elderly continue their sit-in despite harsh weather conditions. Protesters complain that despite the prolonged sit-in, neither the government has contacted them nor has the mainstream media given coverage to their demands.
The protesters vowed to continue their peaceful struggle until the safe recovery of their loved ones. They demanded that the government and state institutions immediately produce all missing persons, including BYC leaders, in courts if there are any charges against them.
