Pakistan: Balochistan families stage protest in Quetta, demand recovery of missing persons

Balochistan [Pakistan] September 1 (ANI): Families of missing persons, activists and civil society representatives gathered outside the Quetta Press Club in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan's Balochistan, to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, demanding an end to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the province, as reported by The Balochistan Post.
According to the publication, the demonstration was organised by the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) and brought together relatives of missing individuals, political activists and rights campaigners.
Addressing protesters, VBMP Chairman Nasrullah Baloch said the organisation had spent the past 17 years pursuing the recovery of missing persons through peaceful and democratic channels.
He said repeated appeals were made to successive governments and state institutions, but commitments to resolve the crisis had, in his view, failed to produce meaningful results.
Speakers alleged that enforced disappearances continue to be reported in different parts of Balochistan, with some missing individuals later being found dead. They also raised concerns over cases allegedly involving women and children, describing the situation as a growing humanitarian and legal crisis for affected families. Nasrullah also referred to legislation introduced in 2025, under which detainees were reportedly required to be presented before a magistrate within 24 hours and kept in designated detention facilities.
Protesters demanded the immediate recovery of all missing persons, including Baloch women, an end to extrajudicial killings, and the presentation of detainees before courts in accordance with Pakistani law. They further called for families to be informed about the whereabouts of detained relatives and for detainees to receive access to legal proceedings, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post.
Meanwhile, the Makran High Court Bar Association called for the recovery of missing persons across Pakistan. It described enforced disappearance as a serious constitutional, legal and human rights concern and urged transparent investigations into such cases, as reported by The Balochistan Post. (ANI)