University teachers across Balochistan are set to hold protest rallies on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, demanding the immediate recovery of Gwadar University Vice Chancellor Abdul Razzaq Sabir, pro-Vice Chancellor Syed Manzoor Ahmed, lecturer Irshad Ahmed, and their staff members, who were abducted five days ago from a highway in Mastung district while travelling to Quetta. The announcement was made jointly by leaders of the Academic Staff Association of the University of Balochistan and the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (Fapuasa), Balochistan chapter, according to local media reports.

The Abduction and Its Timeline

The officials were seized on 14 May 2025 while in transit on a highway passing through Mastung district — a stretch that has historically been a flashpoint for militant activity in Balochistan. Despite five days having elapsed, Pakistani authorities have not announced any recovery or credible leads, according to reports citing Pakistani daily Dawn. The prolonged silence has deepened anxiety among faculty and students across universities in the province.

What the Academic Associations Said

In their joint statement, leaders of the two associations called on all university staff in Balochistan to participate in Wednesday's protest rallies. They demanded the immediate and safe recovery of the Vice Chancellor, pro-Vice Chancellor, lecturer, and accompanying staff members. The statement also flagged a pattern of violence against academics in the province, noting that several teachers had been repeatedly attacked in the past, with many killed or forcibly disappeared. Specifically, Professor Dilawar Khan of the Khuzdar campus of the University of Balochistan and Professor Ghamkhwar Hayat were identified as having been killed recently. The associations urged the government to provide security to teachers, students, and ordinary citizens, and to improve the overall law and order situation.

Human Rights Commission Raises Alarm

On 16 May 2025, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in both Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In a statement posted on X, the HRCP said it was 'deeply alarmed by the sharp deterioration in security across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where citizens are increasingly caught between enforced disappearances, targeted killings, and militant attacks.'

The HRCP specifically flagged the Gwadar University abductions, stating that the incident 'raises serious questions about the state's ability to secure major highways and protect civilians.' It also condemned the killing of Professor Ghamkhwar Hayat in Noshki, warning that 'when teachers and academics are abducted or shot dead, the consequences extend far beyond individual tragedies.'

Wider Pattern of Violence in KP and Balochistan

The HRCP also pointed to deadly attacks in Bannu, Bajaur, and Lakki Marwat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the bombing of a crowded market in Sarai Naurang, as evidence of a worsening pattern of militant violence targeting civilians, police officers, and security personnel alike. The commission urged the Pakistani state to 'move beyond statements of condemnation' and called for credible investigations and accountability for perpetrators.

What Happens Next

With protest rallies scheduled across Balochistan universities on Wednesday, pressure on Pakistani authorities to act is intensifying. The HRCP has outlined three immediate steps it considers non-negotiable: recovery of the missing university officials, credible investigations into all such attacks, and accountability for perpetrators. Whether the government responds with concrete action or further silence will be closely watched by academics, rights groups, and citizens across Pakistan.