Balochistan, Pakistan, May 2 — The Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) has expressed grave concern over the disappearance of BSO Pajjar leader Babul Malik Baloch, who went missing from a Polytechnic College hostel in Quetta late Tuesday night, local outlets reported. According to BSO Pajjar, Baloch was taken from the hostel and moved to an undisclosed location; his current whereabouts remain unknown.
BSAC’s central spokesperson described the incident as alarming and symptomatic of an emerging anti-education atmosphere in the province. The spokesperson said the education system in parts of Balochistan is effectively paralysed amid what they called a pattern of enforced disappearances and harassment of students associated with educational institutions.
The committee warned that targeting politically active students and student organization leaders is creating widespread fear and uncertainty, forcing parents to reconsider sending their children to study. BSAC noted that student groups have long been active in literacy and education initiatives, citing its own Baloch Literacy Campaign, which has conducted awareness sessions and data collection across the province; such activities, the committee says, are increasingly restricted.
Condemning the disappearance, BSAC urged authorities to review relevant policies, act to secure Baloch’s prompt release, and guarantee that Baloch students can pursue education without fear for their safety.
Enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan remain a significant human rights concern. Families often spend years searching for missing relatives, while rights activists allege illegal detentions and staged encounters by security forces. Limited accountability for these cases, activists say, has deepened fear, anger and mistrust between the state and the Baloch community. The reports were carried by local outlets and cited by ANI.
