Why is a Baloch mother protesting for justice for her son?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Baloch mother demanding justice for her deceased son.
- Protest ongoing for nine days despite harassment.
- Human rights organization calls for support.
- Enforced disappearances continue to impact Baloch youth.
- Systemic repression faced by Baloch families.
Quetta, Aug 13 (NationPress) A Baloch mother has been conducting a sit-in protest outside the Quetta Press Club in Balochistan for the past nine days, seeking justice for her son who was killed, while facing ongoing threats from Pakistani law enforcement agencies to keep quiet.
A prominent human rights organization, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), reported on Wednesday that on June 3, 17-year-old Ehsan Syed, the son of Syed Manzoor Shah from Mastung district, was shot dead by personnel from Pakistan’s Federal Constabulary (FC) near the LakPass Tunnel checkpoint.
"Since his passing, the family has endured pressure, intimidation, and threats to cease their quest for justice. On August 5, 2025, they established a protest camp in front of the Quetta Press Club, determined to remain despite continuous harassment," stated the BYC.
"Today, police in Quetta heightened their intimidation tactics, arriving at the protest site, threatening the family, and forcibly seizing their banners, carpets, and other essential belongings. They informed Ehsan's mother that she could not maintain the camp, yet she persists in her demand for accountability regarding her son’s death," it added.
In addition, the BYC noted that on this ninth consecutive day, another Baloch family has been holding a sit-in outside the Karachi Press Club, protesting against the enforced disappearance of their son by Pakistani forces.
Zahid Ali, a 25-year-old International Relations student at the University of Karachi, was forcibly disappeared on July 17, along with his rickshaw, which he used to support his family.
“It has now been 28 days since Zahid’s disappearance. Authorities remain silent, providing no answers and no justice. His case is just one of many enforced disappearances targeting Baloch youth in Karachi and Balochistan,” remarked the BYC.
The rights organization urged students, activists, journalists, and concerned citizens to join the protest camp, amplify the family's voice, and demand justice.
The people of Balochistan are currently advocating for their independence from Pakistan. Numerous human rights organizations have repeatedly underscored the repression by Pakistani forces in the region, which includes violent raids on the homes of Baloch leaders and civilians, unlawful arrests, enforced disappearances, a 'kill and dump' policy, detention under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, and the filing of fabricated police cases.