Mastung: In an emotional press conference held at Mastung Press Club, the mother of 16-year-old student Ehsan Shah, who was allegedly shot dead by FC (Frontier Corps) personnel near Quetta earlier this month, appealed for justice for her son and raised serious allegations against state institutions.
“I am the unfortunate mother of Shaheed Ehsan Shah, who was killed when people were busy preparing for Eid celebrations,” she said tearfully. “My son had gone to Quetta to shop for Eid, accompanied by his friend Shoaib.”
Details of the Incident
Describing the incident, she said, “On June 3, at Ganjah Dori near Quetta, FC troops stopped and detained them. Then, without any reason, they opened fire. My son was shot twice in the neck, and his friend Shoaib was shot in the eye.”
According to her, after Ehsan collapsed, an FC soldier got out of the vehicle, kicked him to straighten his body, and then struck his chest with the barrel of a gun. After a search, the FC men admitted to their superior that the boys had nothing on them.
She added that the injured Shoaib was taken to Quetta by emergency personnel, but not before being threatened: “He was told that if he spoke out, he would not receive medical treatment.”
Obstacles to Registering a Case
The grieving mother stated that initially, the family was told unknown assailants were responsible. However, when her husband attempted to register an FIR at the Mastung police station, he was threatened with job termination and harm. “They told us to get permission from the Deputy Commissioner (DC), but the DC behaved the same way threatening to fire my husband if we pursued legal action.”
Despite repeated attempts, no FIR was registered. “We were ignored, and no one came to us. That is why I’m once again forced to hold a press conference for my son’s justice,” she said.
State Inaction and Fear Tactics
“I personally went to the police station and have been going around courts for days. But every time, I’m turned away with excuses,” she said. “My son was just a 16-year-old student in the ninth grade. What crime did he commit? Why was he killed?”
She added that the only “crime” of her son was that he was a Baloch student. “What did those supposed protectors see in my son that they deemed him a threat? Come and tell me.”
Plea to Baloch Nation
She declared that she had no hope from the state. “I now look toward my Baloch brothers, sisters and organizations. I ask you to be my voice and support me. I want my son’s killers brought to justice. I want accountability.”
She further stated, “If anything happens to my family in the future, the state institutions will be fully responsible. Let the DC do whatever he wants, terminate my husband’s job if he must. But I will not back down from my demand for justice.”
A Call to All Baloch Mothers
In a powerful closing message, she appealed to other Baloch mothers: “Many mothers in Mastung have lost their sons to FC violence. I urge them to break free from fear and stand for justice.”
She added, “I was threatened that my other children would be harmed. But I came here anyway. If they kill them too, let them, because I already died with Ehsan. If they had no mercy on my innocent son, they will not have mercy on us either.”
She concluded by saying, “I have no faith in this state’s justice system. I have faith in the Baloch nation. I urge all Baloch political organizations to raise their voice with me and help bring my son’s murderers to justice.”
