Concerns Raised Over Disappearance of Karachi University Professor Riaz Ahmed
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concerns over the detention and brief disappearance of Karachi University professor and political activist Riaz Ahmed. Ahmed was taken into custody by the police, and his location remained unknown for a short duration before he was returned to the police station.
In a post on X, HRCP stated, “HRCP is deeply concerned by reports that Karachi University academic and political activist Dr Riaz Ahmed was earlier taken into custody and then reportedly disappeared forcibly by unidentified persons. Strangely, he was brought back to the police station after the police denied that they had detained him.”
This incident marks the second time Dr. Ahmed has disappeared. HRCP questioned why he was detained without any FIR being lodged against him and called for an end to such tactics.
Human Rights Concerns in Balochistan
Previously, HRCP had also raised concerns over human rights abuses and political dysfunction in Balochistan. In its annual report, the group highlighted the alarming situation in the province, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, with impunity for the perpetrators and government indifference.
In November 2023, young Baloch rights activists mobilized around the extrajudicial killing of a Baloch youth and marched from Turbat to Islamabad. They faced harassment and violations of their right to peaceful assembly through violent police action. In Gwadar, the ‘Haq Do Tehreek’ continued to demand action against state-led rights violations.
HRCP also noted that freedom of expression remained restricted, with journalists fearing retaliation from security forces, separatist groups, and tribal leaders. Additionally, Balochistan witnessed numerous mining accidents, with at least 36 mine workers killed and 40 injured in 2023. However, in a positive development, the Balochistan government decided to grant the province’s fisherfolk community the status of labor.
Doubts Revealed
Karachi University -: Karachi University is a big school in Karachi, Pakistan, where people go to learn and study different subjects.
Riaz Ahmed -: Riaz Ahmed is a teacher and a person who speaks out about politics and human rights in Pakistan.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) -: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan is a group that works to make sure everyone in Pakistan is treated fairly and their rights are protected.
detention -: Detention means being taken and kept by the police or authorities, usually because they think you did something wrong.
disappearance -: Disappearance means someone goes missing and nobody knows where they are for a while.
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a large area in Pakistan where some people have been treated unfairly and their rights have been taken away.
enforced disappearances -: Enforced disappearances happen when people are taken away secretly by the police or military, and nobody knows where they are.
extrajudicial killings -: Extrajudicial killings are when people are killed by the police or military without a fair trial or legal process.
freedom of expression -: Freedom of expression means being able to say what you think and share your ideas without being punished.
