PARIS: Baloch National Movement (BNM) Chairman Dr. Naseem Baloch has strongly condemned the abduction and enforced disappearance of Shafiq Zehri, the father of activist Mahzeib Shafiq, calling it an example of Pakistan’s policy of collective punishment in Balochistan.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Dr. Naseem Baloch said that Mahzeib Shafiq is facing intensified suffering while she continues her struggle for the safe release of her uncle, Rashid Hussain. He said that instead of addressing her demands, Pakistani security forces have targeted her family by forcibly disappearing her father.
Dr. Baloch stated that the incident is not an isolated case but part of a systematic strategy employed by Pakistani forces to silence dissent in Balochistan. According to the statement, families who seek justice through peaceful and legal means are often met with further repression rather than accountability.
He highlighted that Mahzeib Shafiq’s struggle reflects the broader reality faced by many Baloch women, who are compelled to speak out for their families amid enforced disappearances, intimidation, and alleged state violence.
The BNM chairman further said that the enforced disappearance of Shafiq Zehri constitutes a serious violation of international human rights laws and demonstrates the continued use of collective punishment against the Baloch population. He added that such actions serve as a grim reminder that in Balochistan, even demanding justice can result in severe consequences for entire families.
