QUETTA: The government of Balochistan and security officials presented Farzana Baloch, a young woman from Khuzdar who was forcibly disappeared on December 1, 2025, before the media in Quetta on March 16, 2026 three and a half months after her disappearance claiming she was being prepared for a suicide mission.
Farzana, daughter of Muhammad Bakhsh Zehri, was introduced at the press conference under the name “Laiba.” She went missing while returning home from a hospital on the night of December 1, 2025. Her family had previously alleged that Pakistani security forces had taken her into custody, though authorities did not confirm this at the time.
At the press conference, puppet Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, Home Minister Zia Langov and other officials claimed that security forces had intercepted Farzana before she could carry out a suicide attack. The officials alleged that she was in contact with a Taliban commander and that she was to receive training for a suicide mission following a meeting with BYC’s Dr. Sabiha Baloch.
Farzana Baloch herself told the media that she had been mentally prepared for the attack but was arrested before it could be carried out. She warned other women to avoid participating in such activities.
The Chief Minister claimed that Militants group were exploiting Baloch women, stating that the story of “Laiba” demonstrates how the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) allegedly coerces women and undermines community values.
The press conference has sparked controversy on social media and in political circles. Observers argue that the state has a history of presenting forcibly disappeared individuals as militants or terrorists in media trials instead of legal proceedings. Human rights organizations note that over the past several years, more than a dozen Baloch women have been forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security agencies and remain unaccounted for.
Families of the disappeared women have repeatedly held press conferences, protests, and roadblocks demanding their release, but no substantial progress has been made despite official assurances. Activists maintain that presenting women as “suicide bombers” or militant collaborators has been used in the past, but many such claims were later proven to be false or exaggerated.
It is noteworthy that several Baloch women are currently missing after being forcibly disappeared from different areas of Balochistan. According to reports, at least five women remain in the custody of Pakistani forces without any formal charges, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Among them is Mahjabeen Baloch, a polio patient and student from Besima, who was forcibly disappeared from Quetta on May 29, 2025.
Another missing woman is Raheema Baloch, a resident of Dalbandin, who was reportedly taken by Pakistani forces from the same area. Her whereabouts remain unknown.
Hair Nisa Baloch, a resident of Awaran, was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces on December 20, 2025, from Hub Chowki, and there has been no information about her since.
Hayat Bibi Baloch, a resident of Mashkay, was forcibly disappeared on February 18, 2025, from her home in front of family members. She also remains missing.
Another case is Nasreena Baloch, a resident of Awaran, who was reportedly taken by Pakistani forces on December 22, 2025, from Hub Chowki while she was on her way home. Her whereabouts are still unknown.
