New reports from Balochistan say several residents have gone missing this week, renewing concerns about the province’s treatment of dissent and alleged human rights abuses. Local outlets report four separate cases in which civilians were reportedly taken by security personnel, and relatives have called for their immediate and safe return.
In Khuzdar, a woman identified as Farzana, daughter of Muhammad Bakhsh Zehri, was allegedly detained by officers from the Counter Terrorism Department; her family say she has not been heard from since and describe the detention as unlawful. In Quetta, authorities are being asked to account for Hilal Dad, a young student and Balochi-language poet from Kech district, who was reportedly seized on Jan Muhammad Road and whose family say they have received no information about his whereabouts.
In Pasni, a fisherman named Qasim, son of Nabi Bakhsh, was allegedly picked up while buying medicine in the main market; relatives say his phone shows intermittent online activity and are urging that he be produced in court if any charges exist. In Karachi, Nabeel Baloch, a security guard from Lyari, has reportedly been missing since being taken by security forces; his family insist he is not involved in illegal activity and have appealed for his release.
Human rights groups cited by local media describe the cases as part of a growing pattern of state repression and a ‘‘culture of enforced silence’’ in the province. Families and activists are urging authorities to investigate, disclose detainees’ locations, and follow legal procedures.
This report is based on accounts published by regional outlets and syndication feeds; the original publishers are cited for the initial reporting.
