Five young men forcefully disappeared across Balochistan

Several cases of enforced disappearances involving Baloch men have been reported across Balochistan, with local sources and family members confirming that at least five individuals have been forcibly taken by Pakistani security forces in separate incidents.

In the coastal town of Ormara, two men, Sagheer Baloch and his friend Iqrar, son of Jangiyan, were allegedly detained by Pakistani forces on Wednesday night. According to reports from local sources, both men belong to the same family, and their current whereabouts remain unknown following their detention.

Another incident took place on June 4, when Pakistani security forces reportedly detained Mukhtiar, son of Ashraf, from the Korek area in Jhao, Awaran district. Family members have expressed their concern, stating they have received no information about his present location or condition.

Earlier, a local contractor named Bashir Ahmed, son of Hassan, was reportedly forcibly disappeared while traveling from Lasbela to Jhao. Bashir Ahmed is a resident of Gaazi Hassan Goth in the Jhao area, and his disappearance adds to the growing number of enforced disappearances in the region.

Additionally, a man named Raziq was taken into custody following a raid by Pakistani forces and intelligence personnel at a house in Naag around 3am on Thursday. Like others, his family has not received any updates regarding his status or whereabouts, heightening fears among relatives and human rights advocates.

A notable case involves Sagheer Ahmed, a Baloch student studying at the University of Karachi, who has reportedly been forcibly disappeared for the second time. Family members say he was detained by Pakistani forces on Wednesday night while traveling from Turbat to Karachi, marking a repeated abduction for the young student.

Sagheer Ahmed was previously subjected to enforced disappearance from the University of Karachi on November 20, 2017. He was held in custody for about a year before being released, but his family remains deeply concerned about his safety and has called for his immediate and safe return.

Experts and local human rights activists note that enforced disappearances in Balochistan have sharply increased in 2025. Many families remain silent out of fear of retaliation from security forces, often warned not to speak to the media. Consequently, initial reports of such incidents tend to be delayed, making it difficult to document or address these violations promptly.

The Pakistani state has consistently denied involvement in enforced disappearances. Nonetheless, human rights organizations and Baloch civil society groups continue to accuse security forces and intelligence agencies of orchestrating systematic abductions, especially targeting students, political activists, and residents in conflict-affected areas.