Three more civilians were allegedly subjected to enforced disappearances by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan, leading human rights organisations alleged on Wednesday, 1 July 2025. The incidents, reported across Panjgur and Khuzdar districts, have drawn sharp condemnation from rights bodies who are calling for immediate disclosure of the victims' whereabouts.

The Panjgur Incidents

Paank, the human rights department of the Baloch National Movement, alleged that Azizullah, a 20-year-old driver, was taken away by security forces during a raid on 29 June in the Paroom area of Panjgur district. According to Paank, the forces were accompanied by a state-backed armed group and transferred him to an undisclosed location. His whereabouts remain unknown.

In a separate incident on the same day, another civilian, Umer Jan Baloch, was allegedly forcibly taken from his shop in the Chitkan Bazaar area of Panjgur by personnel associated with Pakistani security forces, according to witnesses cited by Paank. 'Since the incident, there has been no official information regarding his whereabouts or legal status, causing extreme distress to his family,' the rights body noted.

Paank called on Pakistani authorities to 'immediately reveal Azizullah's whereabouts; ensure his safety; release him if he is being held unlawfully or present him before a competent court; and conduct an independent investigation to hold those responsible accountable.' The organisation further stressed: 'Enforced disappearance is a serious violation of international human rights law and must end.'

Third Disappearance of Ahmed Mengal in Khuzdar

In a separate case, Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) on Wednesday condemned what it described as the third enforced disappearance of civilian Ahmed Mengal from Khuzdar district. According to BVJ, personnel of Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies allegedly detained Mengal from his shop in the Jakharabad area of Khuzdar on 26 May and transferred him to an undisclosed location. His whereabouts have remained unknown since.

BVJ noted that Mengal had previously been forcibly disappeared twice by Pakistani forces, making this the third time he has allegedly been taken into custody. The organisation called on human rights organisations to intervene to ensure his immediate and safe release.

A Pattern of Alleged Abuses in Balochistan

The three latest cases are part of a documented and recurring pattern that rights groups say has intensified in Balochistan. Human rights organisations have consistently flagged enforced disappearances and alleged extrajudicial killings of Baloch civilians as a systemic issue. This comes amid longstanding tensions between Baloch civil society groups and Pakistani state institutions, with international bodies including the United Nations having previously raised concerns over the human rights situation in the province.

Notably, Ahmed Mengal's case is particularly alarming given that he had reportedly survived two prior disappearances — a pattern that critics argue illustrates the impunity with which such operations are allegedly conducted. Pakistani authorities have not publicly responded to the latest allegations.

Calls for Accountability

Both Paank and BVJ have urged Pakistani authorities to disclose the whereabouts of all three individuals and subject any responsible personnel to independent judicial scrutiny. Rights groups argue that the absence of official acknowledgment in such cases constitutes a violation of international human rights law, including protections under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

With no official response from Islamabad as of Wednesday, the families of the three men are reportedly in the dark about their legal status or physical condition. Advocacy groups say they will escalate the cases to international human rights forums if Pakistani authorities fail to act.