Singer Riaz Ahmed Baloch Abducted by Pakistani Army Amid Balochistan Unrest
Quetta, Pakistan – August 17: Unrest continues in Balochistan as Pakistan’s army forcibly abducted singer Riaz Ahmed Baloch for protesting against the oppression of the Pakistani regime. Pakistan’s security forces are accused of committing severe atrocities against the Baloch community.
Riaz Ahmed Baloch, a singer, was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces in Quetta. The Baloch Yakjheti Committee reported that Riaz Ahmed Baloch was abducted on the evening of August 14 at 7 pm, a resident of Jinnah Town, Killi Shabo. He has been targeted due to his singing. His family plans to hold a press conference to demand his release and will announce further actions if he is not freed.
Bebarg Baloch, a leader of the BYC, criticised the Pakistani state for failing to honour agreements made during the Baloch Raaji Muchi (Baloch National Gathering) negotiations. He noted that one of the agreements was to protect activists involved in or supporting the gathering, but instead, there has been an increase in enforced disappearances.
Notably, the Baloch community has been on the receiving end of the human rights abuses inflicted by the Pakistani army for decades. Earlier, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), known as PAANK, released its July report detailing ongoing abuses in Balochistan. The report highlighted that in August, there were 35 enforced disappearances, three extrajudicial killings, and 13 incidents of extrajudicial torture.
The report emphasises the severe human rights issues in the region, focusing on these abuses and the impact of road accidents. The report also claimed that Pakistani authorities imposed communication blackouts, shutting down internet and mobile networks in key areas such as Gwadar, exacerbating the isolation and vulnerability of the local population.
Despite growing protests, the military’s response has been increasingly brutal. In Gwadar, violent crackdowns on unarmed protesters resulted in three deaths and hundreds of injuries. The Pakistani authorities also imposed communication blackouts, shutting down internet and mobile networks in key areas such as Gwadar, further isolating and endangering the local population, according to PAANK’s report.
Doubts Revealed
Riaz Ahmed Baloch -: Riaz Ahmed Baloch is a singer from Quetta, a city in Pakistan. He is known for his music and also for speaking out against the government.
Pakistani Army -: The Pakistani Army is the military force of Pakistan. They are responsible for protecting the country but sometimes get involved in internal issues.
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a region in Pakistan. It has many natural resources but also faces a lot of political and social problems.
Quetta -: Quetta is a city in Pakistan. It is the capital of Balochistan province.
Baloch Yakjheti Committee -: The Baloch Yakjheti Committee is a group that works to support the Baloch community. They report on issues and help organize protests.
Human rights abuses -: Human rights abuses are actions that harm people’s basic rights and freedoms. This can include things like unfair treatment, violence, and taking people away without reason.
Enforced disappearances -: Enforced disappearances happen when people are taken away by authorities and their families don’t know where they are. This is done without any legal process.
Extrajudicial killings -: Extrajudicial killings are when people are killed by authorities without a legal trial. This is illegal and against human rights.
Baloch National Movement -: The Baloch National Movement is a group that fights for the rights of the Baloch people. They report on issues and try to bring attention to their struggles.
Protests -: Protests are when people gather to show they are unhappy about something. They can be peaceful or sometimes face crackdowns by authorities.
Military crackdowns -: Military crackdowns are when the army uses force to stop protests or control people. This can include arrests, violence, and other harsh actions.