Pakistani Forces Detain Elderly Baloch Activist Rehmatullah Baloch After Protest in Quetta
Pakistani forces have reportedly detained an elderly Baloch activist, Rehmatullah Baloch, after his involvement in a protest organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) in Quetta. On July 17, security forces raided the Nawakili area of Quetta and detained Rehmatullah Baloch. He had participated in a BYC protest against the detention of Zaheer Baloch, during which police allegedly used excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.
Social and political activists have condemned the detention, calling for Rehmatullah Baloch’s immediate release. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee posted on X, stating, “Comrade Rehmatullah Baloch was forcibly abducted by state agencies last night from Kili Bangulzai Sariab, Quetta. He is a well-known activist and has been part of the recent protest sit-in for Zaheer Baloch. In fact, he arranged for food and water for the women, children, elderly, and youth sitting at the protest. We demand his immediate, safe release. Genocide knows no gender or age. It is being inflicted upon the nation indiscriminately. The entire Baloch nation must speak for the safe release of peaceful activists like Comrade Rehmatullah.”
Ongoing protests and sit-ins are being held in various cities of Balochistan against the increasing cases of enforced disappearances and for the recovery of missing persons. Prominent Baloch rights activist Maharang Baloch has urged the Baloch community to gather in Gwadar on July 28 for the Baloch National Gathering (Baloch Raaji Muchi) to demonstrate unity and resilience. The gathering aims to unite the Baloch community against alleged atrocities by Pakistan, including enforced disappearances, torture, targeted killings, and economic exploitation.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee has been organizing awareness campaigns in several parts of Balochistan, such as Sariab and Hudda in Quetta district and Killi Qadirabad in Noshki district, to promote the upcoming gathering. However, an awareness meeting in Khuzdar was held this week. Reports suggest that Pakistani forces detained several young Baloch women involved in distributing pamphlets for the BNG, with the detentions carried out violently by Frontier Corps personnel.
Enforced disappearances are a significant issue in Balochistan, with human rights organizations accusing Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies of being responsible. Over 50,000 people are reportedly missing in the region.
Doubts Revealed
Pakistani Forces -: These are the military and police groups in Pakistan who are responsible for maintaining law and order in the country.
Baloch Activist -: A person from the Baloch community who works to bring attention to and solve problems faced by Baloch people.
Rehmatullah Baloch -: He is an elderly person from the Baloch community who actively participates in protests and movements for Baloch rights.
Protest -: A public demonstration where people gather to show their disagreement with something, like a government action.
Quetta -: A city in Pakistan, which is the capital of the Balochistan province.
Baloch Yakjehti Committee -: A group that organizes events and protests to support the Baloch community and their issues.
Zaheer Baloch -: Another person from the Baloch community who has been detained, causing people to protest.
Social and political activists -: People who work to bring about social or political change, often by organizing protests or speaking out.
Enforced disappearances -: When people are secretly taken away by authorities or groups, and their whereabouts are unknown.
Balochistan -: A province in Pakistan where many Baloch people live.
50,000 people missing -: A large number of people from the Baloch community who have disappeared and are unaccounted for.
Baloch National Gathering -: A planned event where Baloch people will come together to discuss their issues and plan actions.
Gwadar -: A port city in the Balochistan province of Pakistan.
