Brussels, September 19 (Daily Kiran) : A recent case involving the alleged enforced disappearance of Baloch student leader Jiand Baloch has once again brought to light Pakistan’s long-standing crisis regarding such incidents. According to a report from the European Times, student leaders, human rights activists, and those questioning the fate of missing individuals continue to face targeting in the country.
The report indicates that the crisis of enforced disappearances in Pakistan extends beyond the missing individuals themselves. It raises serious concerns about the rule of law, accountability of security institutions, and the transparency of the justice system. Families affected by these disappearances are still waiting for answers about their loved ones.
On the morning of July 24, 2026, Jiand Baloch was reportedly taken from his home in Quetta by Pakistani security forces. His family received no information regarding his arrest or detention. He returned home 11 days later, on August 3. This incident marks the third time Jiand has allegedly been subjected to such treatment.
The report notes that Jiand first went missing in November 2018 along with his father and younger brother, returning approximately nine months later. He was again reportedly absent for nearly a month during the Baloch Raji Machi (Baloch National Gathering) campaign in July 2024. This latest disappearance lasted for 11 days.
Citing Amnesty International, the report states that Jiand Baloch has been targeted due to his peaceful activism and his role as president of the Baloch Students Organization.
The European Times emphasizes that the repeated disappearances of an individual during public activities raise significant questions about the use of state powers, judicial processes, and accountability.
Jiand’s case has reignited international discussions about enforced disappearances in Pakistan. The report references a communication from UN experts in February 2025 expressing concerns over arbitrary arrests, abuse in detention, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan.
According to the report, UN experts have also raised alarms about restrictions on human rights activists, censorship, and the use of anti-terrorism laws against those exercising freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.
Furthermore, the report highlights concerns from UN experts regarding amendments to Pakistan’s anti-terrorism laws and related provincial regulations, which allow for preventive detention for up to 90 days based on alleged terrorism links. Experts warn that such provisions could increase the risk of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and torture against political dissenters, human rights defenders, journalists, students, and members of minority communities.
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