Quetta: A press conference was held today by the family of Ali Asghar, a Baloch political activist, who has been forcibly disappeared for 24 years. His son, Ghulam Farooq, addressed the media, detailing the decades-long ordeal and calling for the immediate recovery of his father.
Ali Asghar was first forcibly disappeared in June 2000 by state agencies from Shahwani Road, Quetta and released after 14 days. The second abduction occurred on October 18, 2001, outside Degree College, Quetta, along with Muhammad Iqbal. Muhammad Iqbal was released after 24 days, but Ali Asghar remains in custody of state authorities.
Ghulam Farooq stated that over the past 24 years, the family has approached courts, commissions and successive governments through peaceful and constitutional means to secure his father’s safe return. “Unfortunately, at every level, no one has fulfilled their legal duty to provide justice, raising serious questions about the role of state institutions,” he said.
The prolonged disappearance has taken a severe toll on the family’s mental and financial well-being. Ghulam Farooq explained that the family members have suffered psychological trauma, interrupted educationm and a profoundly disrupted life. He described the constant anxiety and grief of living without knowledge of their father’s fate.
Speaking on the human rights implications, he said, “Forcibly disappearing living individuals, denying families information and leaving them in perpetual distress is a gross violation of national and international law and fundamental human rights. This is a major humanitarian tragedy of our times.”
He criticized successive governments for failing to end enforced disappearances in Balochistan, despite promises, ordinances and legislation, stating that these measures have often complicated the issue and provided legal cover for unlawful state actions. “State institutions continue to violate laws and human rights under the pretext of national security, perpetuating the cycle of disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Baloch citizens,” he added.
Ghulam Farooq called on the judiciary and parliamentary institutions to take constitutional and ethical action to ensure the safe recovery of all disappeared persons and enact comprehensive legislation in line with human rights principles.
“The issue of missing persons is not limited to one individual or the Baloch community; it affects society, the justice system and the credibility of human rights institutions. Silence in the face of such injustice is poison for society,” he said, urging Pakistan and the international community to raise their voices against this human rights violation.
In conclusion, he reiterated the family’s demand for an end to enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the immediate recovery of all missing persons.
