What Are the Human Rights Violations Occurring in Balochistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Balochistan is facing a serious human rights crisis.
- Reports of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings are increasing.
- Activists like Mahrang Baloch are advocating for justice.
- International organizations are being urged to intervene.
- The academic environment is at risk of becoming a site of fear.
Balochistan, June 17 (NationPress) Human rights organizations have once again criticized Pakistan for its ongoing repression in Balochistan, highlighting a pattern of violent assaults on civilians, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings by security forces as indicators of escalating lawlessness in the region.
Numerous political factions and activists from Balochistan have raised their voices against the enforced disappearances and unlawful detentions. Among them is Mahrang Baloch, who, along with many others, has been apprehended by Pakistani forces and reportedly subjected to torture while incarcerated.
The Paank, the human rights division of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), issued a vigorous condemnation regarding recent events in Tump, Kech, and Chitkan city in Panjgur, Balochistan, where armed individuals allegedly attacked residential properties and attempted abductions, with local police declining to file official reports.
"Between June 13 and 16, armed men targeted residences in Tump, Kech, and Chitkan city, Panjgur. In Tump, hand grenades were launched at the homes of Shafiq and Mohammad Hayat, resulting in injuries to a woman and property damage. In Panjgur, Nisar Ahmed was assaulted during an attempted abduction, and police refused to register a First Information Report (FIR) despite the family's complaint," stated the rights group.
The organization also brought attention to the case of Sohail Ahmed, son of Zaheer Ahmed, who was reportedly abducted on June 12 from Kharan by Pakistani military forces.
"This act of enforced disappearance represents yet another significant infringement of human rights and international law," Paank declared.
In another disturbing incident, Paank reported the extrajudicial killing of Salam Haider, a resident of Gwadar and originally from Dasht, Kech. His remains were allegedly returned to the family under strict conditions that prohibited them from viewing the body or conducting traditional last rites.
"The family suspects he was tortured," the organization noted.
Furthermore, the Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) expressed deep concern regarding the rising number of Baloch students being abducted by Pakistani authorities.
In a strongly worded statement, BVJ cited the case of Nasir Qambrani, who was forcibly disappeared from Quetta on March 17, with his current whereabouts still unknown after more than 90 days.
"Assaulting students based on their identity or peaceful expression undermines individual liberty and hampers the intellectual and social growth of the entire nation," BVJ emphasized, referencing Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which safeguards the right to education.
The organization urged global entities such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and UNESCO to intervene and compel the Pakistani government to cease its repression.
"The academic environment must remain a haven for thoughts, discussions, and education, rather than a ground of fear and suppression," BVJ added.
The ongoing human rights crisis in Balochistan has intensified calls for international scrutiny, particularly in light of persistent allegations of torture, illegal detentions, and violent crackdowns on dissent.
Despite Islamabad's repeated denials, rights advocates and political activists assert that the pattern of abuses signifies a systematic campaign to silence the Baloch voice.