Karachi: The father of missing man Zahid Ali, Abdul Hameed Baloch, was hospitalised after falling ill while taking part in a protest outside the Karachi Press Club.
Family members said Abdul Hameed, who suffers from hepatitis, became unwell on Monday, at the protest camp, was first treated at a nearby clinic, and was later admitted to hospital where he remains under care. He had been leading the sit-in for around six weeks demanding his son’s recovery.
Zahid Ali, who combined university studies with work as a rickshaw driver, was reportedly detained by Pakistani security forces several months ago. His family has been demonstrating for his release for about a month and a half and briefly paused the protest when Abdul Hameed’s health previously deteriorated.
Zahid’s mother told reporters the family has pursued every legal channel, filing an FIR and taking the matter to court, but has received no help, and authorities continue to deny detaining him.
She urged that, if there are any accusations, Zahid be presented before a court, and condemned secret detentions as unconstitutional. She added that with Zahid gone, the family’s primary earner, they are facing severe financial and emotional strain.
