Surge in Enforced Disappearances of Baloch Nationals Sparks Outrage

Baluchistan- Baluchistan has once again become a hotspot for enforced disappearances, with reports of abductions allegedly carried out by the Pakistani military and its intelligence agency, the ISI. According to local news sources, incidents of forced disappearances have surged across the region, with boys as young as 11 years old being among the victims. The latest wave of abductions has raised alarm over gross human rights violations, further deepening the crisis in the province.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a human rights organization actively documenting such cases, has confirmed the identities of 11 individuals forcibly taken by Pakistani security forces. The abductions reportedly occurred on the morning of March 16 near SBK University in the Nushki district of Baluchistan. While dozens were reportedly picked up, only 11 have been identified so far, raising concerns that the actual number of missing persons may be much higher.

According to a report by The Baluchistan Post, the abductees include laborers, drivers, and students—individuals from different walks of life who have disappeared under mysterious and distressing circumstances. Among them are three minors, further intensifying the fear gripping the Baloch community. Families of the missing individuals are left in anguish, struggling to obtain information on the whereabouts of their loved ones.

Baluchistan has long suffered from enforced disappearances, with activists, intellectuals, and even ordinary civilians being taken away without a trace. Human rights organizations have consistently accused the Pakistani military establishment of orchestrating these disappearances as part of its crackdown on political dissent and nationalist movements in the region. The Pakistani government, however, has repeatedly denied these allegations, dismissing them as propaganda.

Despite mounting pressure from local and international human rights groups, cases of enforced disappearances continue to rise. The Pakistani authorities have failed to provide satisfactory explanations or take meaningful action to address the crisis. The families of the missing individuals often face intimidation and threats when seeking justice, further compounding their suffering.

The recent abductions in Nushki have led to renewed calls for accountability, with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and other activists urging international organizations to intervene. The group has also appealed for greater media coverage, fearing that many more abductions remain undocumented due to the lack of independent reporting from the region.

Amid this ongoing crisis, the fear among Baloch residents is palpable. Enforced disappearances have created an atmosphere of insecurity, where individuals fear speaking out against state injustices. Many families of the missing continue to protest, holding demonstrations demanding the safe return of their loved ones. However, their pleas are often met with silence or repression.

The growing number of enforced disappearances in Baluchistan underscores the urgent need for an independent investigation into human rights violations in the region. The international community, particularly human rights organizations and diplomatic bodies, must take notice of the worsening situation and press Pakistan for transparency and accountability. Without such efforts, the cycle of abductions, fear, and impunity will only continue, deepening the suffering of the Baloch people.