QUETTA: The protest camp organized by Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) against enforced disappearances continued for the 6139th consecutive day outside the Quetta Press Club. On this occasion, Jamil Baloch, brother of Disappaered Baloch student Sohail Baloch, visited the camp and registered his protest.
Jamil Baloch stated that his brother, Sohail Ahmad son of Lal Muhammad, along with his friend Fasihullah son of Syed Abdur Rauf Shah, were forcibly disappeared from University of Balochistan (UOB) on November 1, 2021. Both students were enrolled in the BS Pakistan Studies program and resided in the boys’ hostel, from where they were taken into custody by intelligence officials and subsequently disappeared.
He further said that the case of these enforced disappearances was discussed in the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights, but no outcome was achieved and the case was referred to the Missing Persons Commission, where it is currently under consideration. He expressed regret that the commission is reportedly considering closing the case.
Jamil Baloch added that the provincial government had formed a committee headed by Provincial Minister Abdul Rehman Kateran, which promised progress within 15 days. However, despite five years passing, no concrete action has been taken and the committee head has failed to appear before the commission despite multiple notices.
He said that for the past five years, they have knocked on every door seeking justice, but neither his brother nor his friend has been recovered, nor has any information about their whereabouts been provided, causing severe mental distress and anguish to their family.
On this occasion, VBMP Chairman Nasrullah Baloch assured Jamil Baloch that the organization will continue to raise the cases of Sohail, Fasih, and all other missing Baloch students through legal channels and every available forum, demanding their safe recovery.
Nasrullah Baloch said that the failure to recover these students even after five years raises serious questions about the government’s and justice institutions’ performance. He stated that such incidents are eroding public trust in state institutions and creating the impression that these institutions are powerless before influential groups.
He further emphasized that to restore public confidence, it is essential for all institutions to uphold the law and take effective measures against violations of citizens’ fundamental rights, ensuring swift and affordable justice.
In conclusion, Nasrullah Baloch demanded the immediate recovery of Sohail, Fasih, and all other missing persons. He stated that if anyone is accused, they should be presented in courts to relieve their families from this painful uncertainty.
