Four Friends Missing in Gwadar, Balochistan Amid Rising Abductions
In the coastal city of Gwadar, Balochistan, four young men have reportedly gone missing, allegedly abducted by security forces. The missing individuals are Meraj, son of Noor Bakhsh; Ijaz, son of Hussain; Ayub, son of Hamza; and Doda Khalid. These friends, residents of the Dasht Maksar area in Kech district, have not been seen or heard from since their detention.
This incident is part of a troubling trend of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, where many individuals suspected of separatist sympathies are taken by security agencies without legal proceedings. Human rights organizations and activists have raised alarms about the increasing use of abductions to silence dissent, particularly targeting students and young activists.
In the Kharan district, families of other missing individuals, including Amanullah, Mohammad Dawood, and Arshad Ahmad, continue their sit-ins, demanding answers. The Baloch National Movement’s human rights wing, PAANK, has highlighted the severe consequences of these disappearances, including torture, forced confessions, and extrajudicial killings.
These enforced disappearances are seen as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Balochistan, with activists accusing military and intelligence agencies of orchestrating these abductions to suppress demands for autonomy. The impact of these actions extends beyond the victims, instilling fear in local communities and eroding trust in state institutions.
Doubts Revealed
Gwadar -: Gwadar is a port city in the southwestern part of Pakistan. It is known for its strategic location and is part of the Balochistan province.
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a province in Pakistan. It is the largest province by area and is known for its rich natural resources.
Abductions -: Abductions mean taking someone away by force. In this context, it means people are being taken without their consent, often by security forces.
Enforced disappearances -: Enforced disappearances happen when people are secretly taken away by the government or other groups, and their whereabouts are kept hidden.
Human rights groups -: Human rights groups are organizations that work to protect people’s basic rights and freedoms. They often speak out against injustices like abductions and torture.
Dissent -: Dissent means having opinions that are different from those in power. In this case, it refers to people who disagree with the government.
Extrajudicial killings -: Extrajudicial killings are when people are killed without a legal trial. This is illegal and a serious human rights violation.
Protests -: Protests are when people gather to show they are unhappy about something. In this case, families are protesting to find their missing loved ones.
Human rights crisis -: A human rights crisis happens when there are widespread violations of people’s basic rights, like freedom and safety. In Balochistan, many people are facing such issues.
