In a disturbing continuation of a long-standing issue, another Baloch student has fallen victim to enforced disappearance in Pak-occupied-Balochistan. Anees Ur Rehman Baloch, a recent Computer Science graduate from Bahauddin Zakaria University (BZU) in Multan, was reportedly taken by armed men on the evening of June 4th from Pubg Hotel in Khuzdar.
Baloch, who also served as the chairman of the Baloch Students Council Multan, is now among the thousands of Baloch individuals whose whereabouts remain unknown after being forcibly taken. His brother, Fakhr Baloch, expressed serious concerns about Anees’s life and safety. “My younger brother was forcibly taken away this evening by unknown armed men,” he said, urging the Khuzdar administration to “immediately ensure the recovery of my brother and register an FIR (First Information Report) of the incident.”
This incident is not isolated but part of a larger, troubling pattern. Human rights violations are intensifying in Pak-occupied-Balochistan, with Baloch students being primary targets. Known for their courage in advocating for their rights, these young activists often find themselves in the crosshairs of Pak Army actions.
The city’s political and public circles have been vocal about the Army, intelligence agencies, and Army-sponsored “death squads” in forced disappearances of Baloch community.
Tragically, Anees Baloch is not the only victim. On May 15th, another Baloch individual, identified as Fahad, son of Dota Bugti, was reportedly abducted by Pak forces from Shah Ali Colony in Sui, Dera Bugti. These incidents paint a grim picture of a region where enforced disappearances have become disturbingly common.
The situation in Pak-occupied-Balochistan, particularly in areas like Khuzdar, has long been a point of concern for human rights organizations. They argue that the Pak Army’s response to Baloch community has been heavy-handed, often resulting in human rights abuses.
As more cases like that of Anees Baloch come to light, the international community’s attention is increasingly drawn to this crisis.