A wave of protests has engulfed Pak-occupied-Balochistan as thousands take to the streets in Turbat, Quetta, and other cities, demanding the return of loved ones subjected to enforced disappearances. The movement, gaining momentum daily, reflects growing anger over systematic campaign of abductions” by Army forces.
In the capital, Quetta, the disappearance of two students, Shaheek and Farooq Baloch, has become a flashpoint. “They were taken from their hostel by Pak Army,” said Bebarg Baloch, a human rights activist. “Now, police refuse even to file an FIR. This is not just negligence; it’s complicity.”
In response, a coalition of students, political activists, and family members has blockaded the Deputy Commissioner’s office, halting traffic.
Simultaneously, in Turbat, Kech district, another sit-in has entered its second day. This protest, part of a long march that began in Zamaran, brings together a broad spectrum of society. Led by Arif Baloch, whose son Muslim Arif is among the disappeared, and Haji Nasir of the Haq Do Tehreek, the gathering symbolizes a community united in grief and resolve.
“In areas like Buleda, enforced disappearances aren’t isolated incidents; they’re a reign of terror,” said Nasir. “Dozens are missing. Those who remain live in perpetual fear. If this doesn’t stop, our movement will only grow.”
The crisis extends beyond these cities. Reports from Zamaran describe an atmosphere of intimidation, with Army forces’ misconduct suppressing local populations. Protesters warn that without concrete actions—recovery of the missing and accountability for perpetrators—their campaign will intensify nationwide.
This movement, spanning from anxious student dorms to teeming city squares, poses a stark challenge to authorities. Will Balochistan’s cries for its disappeared be answered, or will its nights of vigil stretch into an uncertain dawn?