Appointment of Sarfaraz Bugti to lead enforced disappearances committee draws massive criticism
Military operation in Mach, Bolan enters fourth day, disrupting local life
The Pakistani security forces have reportedly cordoned off multiple areas of Balochitan’s Mach, Bolan and their environs, as a large-scale military operation in the region enters its fourth day. The ground troops, assisted by gunship
Quetta: BLA claims responsibility for attack on police that killed 4, injured 18
In a deadly incident that occurred on Monday, at least four people, including two police officers, were killed and 18 others were left injured in an explosion in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan. The
Rampant street crimes leave residents of Khuzdar in fear and helplessness
The city of Khuzdar has become a hub of criminal activities, with reports indicating that street criminals, snatchers, and thieves are rampant in the area. The situation has left the residents of Khuzdar living in
Balochistan: two men killed in firing incidents
At least two persons were reportedly killed in two separate firing incidents in Balochistan on Friday. According to reports, unidentified armed men entered a house in the Dera Murad Jamali area of Balochistan and shot
Resident of Kech district disappears in Karachi raid
A man from Kech district, Balochistan, has reportedly disappeared in Karachi after Pakistani forces allegedly detained him and his two sons during a raid on their house in Goth Mallir. According to sources, the man’s
Balochistan’s captivating images; A lifeline for ailing photographer
For 14 years, Kamanchar Baloch has dedicated himself to capturing the essence of Balochistan’s culture, stunning landscapes, and the plight of its impoverished residents. Born in Tehsil Mand, Balochistan, on November 25, 1998, Kamanchar has
BSO-Azad concludes 23rd Council Session; Drapshan Baloch elected chairman
The Baloch Students Organization Azad (BSO-Azad) released the highlights of the 23rd Central Council Session. BSO-Azad announced in the media that it wrapped up its 23rd Central Council session, a three-day event held in memory
Quetta: Security forces bring 3 dead bodies to a hospital
Pakistani forces reportedly shifted three dead bodies to a hospital in Balochistan’s capital Quetta on Wednesday. According to reports, Pakistani forces shifted the dead bodies of three men to the civil hospital Quetta — where
Enforced disappearances continue; Another goes ‘missing’ in Panjgur
Another Baloch man went missing from the Panjgur district of Balochistan on Wednesday. According to reports, Pakistani forces have allegedly disappeared a man after his arrest from the Parom area of the district. The detainee
The selection of Sarfaraz Bugti as the leader of a recently formed committee on enforced disappearances by Pakistan’s caretaker government has stirred controversy and faced criticism in Balochistan. Bugti, presently acting as the caretaker Interior Minister, is a divisive figure due to alleged connections with “death squads” in Balochistan and his public positions on enforced disappearances.
The committee, consisting of the Interior, Law, and Defence Ministers, was established following the federal cabinet’s approval on November 7. The objective of this initiative is to address the persistent issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, an area plagued by such cases for an extended period. However, the decision to appoint Bugti as its head has raised concerns among various stakeholders, including human rights activists and Baloch nationalist leaders.
Sammi Deen Baloch, General Secretary of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) and daughter of the missing Dr. Deen Mohammad, expressed doubt about the committee’s efficacy. She pointed to the unsuccessful outcomes of previous commissions, such as COIOED and a commission led by Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal appointed by the Islamabad High Court. Baloch accused the government of toying with the emotions of the families of missing persons by appointing Bugti, who she claims minimizes the seriousness of enforced disappearances.
Furthermore, Dr. Allah Nazar Baloch, a prominent figure in the Baloch independence movement, called on the United Nations and human rights organizations to take note of Bugti’s appointment. In a statement on the social media platform ‘X’, he described Bugti as a “puppet Interior Minister” and the leader of a state-backed “Death Squad.” Dr. Allah Nazar Baloch emphasized that Pakistan’s choice of Bugti for the missing persons committee signifies its disregard for human rights conventions in Balochistan, an action he believes should alert the international community to the situation.
This development has sparked strong reactions from Baloch nationalists and relatives of the missing, who harbor doubts about the new committee’s potential to bring about substantive change. They argue that Bugti’s appointment only serves to undermine the committee’s credibility and effectiveness.
