Are Pakistani Agencies Monitoring Grieving Baloch Families?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
As the protest by Baloch families continues, accusations arise against Pakistani law enforcement for monitoring their activities. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee urges solidarity from the public and highlights the ongoing crisis of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Discover the implications of these developments on human rights.
Key Takeaways
- Baloch families have been protesting for 15 days in Islamabad.
- They demand the release of BYC leaders and an end to enforced disappearances.
- Surveillance by law enforcement agencies has been reported.
- Five individuals were forcibly disappeared between July 25-29, 2025.
- Paank reported 84 cases of enforced disappearances in June 2025.
Islamabad, July 30 (NationPress) - As the ongoing protest by Baloch families outside the National Press Club in Islamabad marks its 15th day on Wednesday, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has raised serious allegations against Pakistan's law enforcement agencies, claiming they are surveilling these mourning families.
According to the BYC, individuals unaffiliated with any media organizations arrive daily to capture close-up footage of demonstrators, particularly targeting young male students with the intent to profile and intimidate them.
The protestors are demanding the immediate release of BYC leaders and an end to the enforced disappearances occurring in Balochistan. The committee has called upon journalists, human rights advocates, and the general public to stand in solidarity with the Baloch community.
In a statement shared on X, BYC remarked, "Day 15 – Islamabad Sit-In: Today signifies the 15th consecutive day of peaceful protest by Baloch families outside the National Press Club, Islamabad, urging for the swift release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and an end to enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Rather than receiving the attention they deserve, these grieving families are subjected to daily monitoring by law enforcement agencies. Individuals unassociated with media continue to arrive, taking close-up videos of participants, especially young male students, with clear intentions of profiling and intimidation."
"Despite the road to the Press Club being sealed and the camp not being permitted, these families remain undeterred. They have consistently maintained their resistance. We urge: journalists, human rights defenders, and all conscious citizens to break their silence and visit the sit-in. Amplify their voices. Stand in solidarity," it added.
Additionally, the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department (Paank) reported on Wednesday that five Baloch individuals have been forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces between July 25-29, condemning these enforced disappearances.
In a post on X, Paank stated, "Between July 25 and 29, 2025, five Baloch individuals were forcibly disappeared from various districts in Balochistan by Pakistani security forces. Shahbeer Ahmed, a driver from Nushki, was abducted from his residence. Nazeer Ahmed, a student from Khuzdar, was taken from a football ground in Panjgur. Muhammad Asghar, a shopkeeper from Kalat, was also kidnapped from Panjgur on the same day. Sajjad Noor, who operates a mobile shop in Kallar Mashkai, was detained from Main Bazaar Fida Baloch in Kech, and another individual was forcibly vanished from a public park in Gwadar. Paank has strongly condemned these enforced disappearances and holds the Pakistani state accountable for the safety and lives of the abducted individuals."
On July 27, Paank stated that Balochistan witnessed 84 cases of enforced disappearances and 33 instances of extrajudicial killings in June. The recent report, titled ‘Balochistan Human Rights Report – June 2025’, documents cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the region. Paank noted that the data presented in the report is based on verified reports from June 2025, highlighting the deteriorating human rights situation in Balochistan.
According to the report, a total of 84 individuals were forcibly disappeared in June. Many were detained without any legal process, and 32 individuals were later released after enduring significant mental and physical torture while in custody. The report indicates that the Pakistani military is reportedly detaining and killing individuals without legal justification, often for unknown reasons. Furthermore, Paank reported 33 cases of extrajudicial killings in Balochistan during June 2025.
Point of View
It's crucial to acknowledge the gravity of the human rights situation in Balochistan. The ongoing protests highlight the struggles faced by Baloch families, demanding justice and the end of enforced disappearances. It is vital for the media and civil society to stand in solidarity with these families, amplifying their voices and advocating for their rights.
NationPress
31/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC)?
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) is a human rights organization advocating for the rights of the Baloch people, particularly focusing on the issues of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan.
What are enforced disappearances?
Enforced disappearances refer to the abduction or imprisonment of individuals by state officials or agents, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty, leading to a lack of information on the person's fate.
Why are Baloch families protesting?
Baloch families are protesting to demand the immediate release of their leaders and to raise awareness about the ongoing issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
What actions have been reported by the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department?
The Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department reported multiple cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan, condemning these acts and holding the Pakistani state responsible.
How can people support the Baloch community?
People can support the Baloch community by amplifying their voices, raising awareness about their plight, and advocating for their rights through various platforms, including social media and public demonstrations.
