Human Rights Group Raises Alarm Over Baloch Women's Abductions and Extrajudicial Killings in Pakistan
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Quetta, March 25 (NationPress) A prominent human rights group raised urgent alarms on Wednesday regarding the ongoing enforced disappearances of Baloch women perpetrated by Pakistani forces.
With the escalation of civilian atrocities in Balochistan, the Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement, known as Paank, reported the abduction of Mahjabeen Baloch, a 23-year-old student, by Pakistani forces on May 29 of the previous year.
This incident, occurring shortly after her brother Younus Baloch disappeared, intensifies fears about the targeting of family members and the practice of collective punishment throughout Balochistan.
While Younus was released following severe torture, Mahjabeen's fate remains uncertain. Paank asserts, "Enforced disappearances are serious violations of international law, depriving individuals of legal protection and causing ongoing distress to their families."
The organization urged Pakistani authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mahjabeen and reveal her status without further delay.
In light of the rising violence in the province, Paank condemned the extrajudicial killing of Muhammad Aamir, a resident of Mastung District, as another alarming act of violence by Pakistani authorities.
The rights group cited the victim’s family, stating that personnel from Pakistan’s Frontier Corps (FC) stormed their residence in Killi Karez Sor, taking Muhammad outside and fatally shooting him just before Eid.
The family emphasized that “no arrest warrant was shown, no police report was filed, and no evidence was presented to justify the operation.”
Paank characterized this incident as part of a broader campaign of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the area, asserting that “these actions violate fundamental human rights, including the right to life and due process.”
“This killing raises significant legal and ethical issues,” the rights body commented, demanding immediate accountability and transparency.
Paank further called for an independent and impartial investigation into Muhammad's death, insisting that those responsible must be held accountable.
The organization appealed to international human rights entities to urgently address the situation in Balochistan, warning that ongoing impunity could lead to further violence and suffering among civilians.
Reiterating its commitment to justice, Paank expressed solidarity with Muhammad's family and all victims of alleged violence by Pakistani forces, advocating for an end to what it termed “systemic abuses” in the region.