Families of victims of enforced disappearances, along with Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Sibghatullah Shah Ji, have announced a protest in Turbat on Saturday to demand the recovery of Baloch missing persons and to condemn recent violence against Baloch women in Quetta.
During a press conference in Turbat, Sibghatullah Shah Ji said that families from various areas of District Kech had previously staged two sit-ins for the recovery of their loved ones. During the second sit-in, the administration requested a ten-day period to address their concerns, which the families granted. However, despite forming a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and holding several meetings, no substantial results were achieved.
“The administration had asked the families to ensure that their missing loved ones would not engage in anti-state activities,” Shah Ji said. “Despite agreeing, no further progress was made, and their missing loved ones have still not been released as the ten-day time limit has now expired.”
Consequently, a protest rally was announced. “The protest rally will begin at 5:30 PM from Shaheed Fida Chowk and proceed to the DC Office, followed by a sit-in at the administration’s office,” he added.
Shah Ji accused Pakistani security agencies of a new tactic of transferring forcibly disappeared persons to police custody, who then file fabricated cases against them. He cited the non-bailable 9C charge as an example. “Public patience is wearing thin with the police,” Shah Ji warned. “If the police continue these practices, it will lead to public backlash and disgrace for the police and local administration.”
He also highlighted the case of Khalid Bijar, a disabled and ill young man from Merri Nig who was recently forcibly disappeared, and an FIR was registered against him on fabricated charges. “This is condemnable,” Shah Ji said. “Similar actions have occurred in the past and will not bode well for the local police.”
In Quetta, a sit-in protest continues at Secretariat Chowk, demanding the safe release of Zaheer Ahmad, who was forcibly disappeared. Meanwhile, demonstrators have completely blocked the Quetta-Karachi Highway at Sona Khan, halting all traffic to draw attention to their cause. This protest, led by the families of the missing and supported by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, has faced violent repression from security forces, leading to widespread condemnation from various leaders and organizations.