Quetta, July 1: Human rights organizations have raised alarms over the alleged enforced disappearances of three more civilians by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan.
The Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement (BNM) reported that a 20-year-old driver named Azizullah was reportedly taken by Pakistani forces during a raid in the Paroom area of the Panjgur district on June 29.
According to the organization, a state-backed armed group was also present during the operation. Azizullah was taken to an unknown location, and there has been no information about his whereabouts since then.
The BNM has urged Pakistani authorities to immediately disclose Azizullah’s location, ensure his safety, and either release him if he is unlawfully detained or present him before a competent court. They also called for an independent investigation into the actions of those responsible.
The organization stated, “Enforced disappearance is a serious violation of international human rights law and must be stopped immediately.”
On the same day, another civilian, Umar Jan Baloch, was reportedly forcibly disappeared from the Chitkan market area of Panjgur. Witnesses indicated that individuals associated with security forces forcibly took Umar from his shop.
The human rights organization noted, “Since this incident, there has been no official information regarding his whereabouts or legal status, causing significant concern and fear for his family.”
Meanwhile, the Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) condemned the repeated enforced disappearances of Ahmad Mengal from Khuzdar district and appealed to human rights organizations for intervention to ensure his immediate and safe release.
According to the BVJ, Mengal was allegedly taken by Pakistani security forces and intelligence personnel from his shop in the Zakhroabad area of Khuzdar on May 26 and has been missing since. This marks the third time Mengal has been forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces.
Concerns continue to grow over ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan, with reports of enforced disappearances and alleged extrajudicial killings of Baloch citizens surfacing regularly.
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