Pakistan army threatens protesting family of abducted Baloch national

Reportedly, the incident took place when her family was protesting in Quetta demanding her safe return.

According to PAANK, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement, a Pakistan-based Baloch rights organisation, Zahir was forcibly abducted by Pakistan Army personnel on June 27 this year.

In a post on 'X', PAANK referred to the incident, saying, “Armed agents of the Pakistani intelligence agency are threatening the peaceful family of Zaheer Baloch, who was abducted by the Pakistan Army on June 27 during a rally demanding his release outside a sessions court. We demand immediate security for the family and safe release of Zaheer.”

Armed agents of the Pakistani intelligence agency are threatening the peaceful family of Zaheer Baloch, who was abducted by the Pakistani army on June 27. They had joined a rally outside the Sessions Court and were demanding Zaheer's release. We demand immediate protection of the family and safe release of Zaheer. pic.twitter.com/985RoJaBPK

— paank (@paank_bnm) July 3, 2024

Zahir's family has been protesting at various places in Quetta demanding his safe return from the Balochistan administration. Prominent Baloch rights activist Sammi Din Baloch had earlier reported that unidentified gunmen were threatening the victim's family to stop the protests while the local administration was responsible for negotiating and resolving the issue.

Another post on 'X' said, “Zaheer Ahmad was illegally abducted by state intelligence agencies on June 27, 2024. His family is protesting at various places in Quetta. Despite the administration's responsibility to negotiate with the families, some gunmen are threatening and harassing the families to stop the protests, and no action is being taken against them. We strongly condemn such actions and demand the safe release of Zaheer Ahmad.”

Protests over the growing issue of enforced disappearances are nothing new in Balochistan. Recently, a sit-in camp outside the Quetta Press Club demanding the safe recovery of missing persons led by Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) completed its 5496th day. According to a Balochistan Post report, Sibghatullah, convener of the Makran chapter of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, along with other top Baloch activists, visited the camp to express solidarity with the families. However, incidents of enforced disappearances have not decreased in Balochistan.

Zaheer Ahmad was illegally abducted by state intelligence agencies on 27 June 2024. His family is protesting at various places in Quetta. Despite the administration's responsibility to negotiate with the families, some gunmen are threatening and harassing the families… pic.twitter.com/7g1xorWdRp

— Sammi Deen Baloch (@SammiBaluch) July 3, 2024

PAANK reported that in May alone, 90 cases of enforced disappearances were reported in Pakistan's Balochistan. Kech, Gwadar and Dera Bugti regions saw 22, 15 and 29 such incidents respectively.