Baloch Youths Imran Baloch and Junaid Hameed Abducted in Pakistan
In Quetta, Pakistan, two young men from Balochistan, Imran Baloch and Junaid Hameed, were reportedly abducted by Pakistani intelligence forces and military personnel. The incident occurred near Hub Bhawani Shah Pump, where the youths were taken at gunpoint from a vehicle outside a hotel. Imran is the son of a former regional councillor, while Junaid works as a laborer. This event highlights ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial actions.
The Baloch National Movement’s human rights wing, Paank, reported the incident and called for international intervention. They noted that in October alone, Balochistan saw 41 enforced disappearances and other human rights abuses. The report also criticized Pakistan’s Fourth Schedule policy, which targets peaceful activists by falsely associating them with armed groups. These actions are seen as part of a broader effort to suppress Baloch demands for autonomy.
Doubts Revealed
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a region in Pakistan. It is known for its rich natural resources and has a history of political unrest and demands for independence.
Abducted -: Abducted means taken away by force. In this context, it refers to people being taken without their consent, often by authorities or armed groups.
Pakistani intelligence and military forces -: These are groups in Pakistan responsible for national security and defense. They sometimes get involved in actions like arrests or detentions.
Human rights violations -: These are actions that go against the basic rights and freedoms that every person should have, like safety and freedom from unfair treatment.
Enforced disappearances -: This is when people are secretly taken away by authorities or groups, and their whereabouts are kept hidden, often causing distress to their families.
Baloch National Movement -: This is a political group that represents the interests of the Baloch people. They often speak out against injustices faced by the Baloch community.
Paank -: Paank is the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement. They focus on reporting and addressing human rights issues in Balochistan.
International intervention -: This means asking other countries or global organizations to help solve a problem, especially when local solutions are not working.