In the industrial city of Balochistan, a demonstration was held against the forced disappearance of a young student named Shabir Baloch, while it has been six years since he has gone missing.
According to the details, Shabbir Baloch was detained on October 4, 2016, along with 20 other people from the area in Turbat. Relatives say that Shabbir Baloch was arrested and disappeared by Pakistani forces.
Statement of relatives
According to the statement of the relatives, after two weeks, all the other persons were released, but there is no news of Shabir Baloch even after six years. Last day, the relatives of Baloch also held a protest rally in front of Lasbela Press Club Hub.
Relatives of other missing persons also participated in the protest rally. The participants of the rally marched on the main highway with pictures of their loved ones who were victims of enforced disappearance and demanded the higher authorities bring back the disappeared persons.
His sister’s stance
During the protest, Shabbir Baloch’s sister Seema Baloch said that there are continuous protests, hunger strikes, and rallies for the recovery of her brother. Protests were also held in Islamabad and Quetta.
Seema Baloch said that several times they were assured by ministers and committees that her brother will be recovered, but till today there is no news of Shabir Baloch. Last year Imran Khan also assured them by meeting as Prime Minister.
He said that we have used all the means to get justice. It seems that there is no one in the state to listen to our cries. Human rights organizations also raised their voices on the forced disappearance of Shabbir Baloch, but no response could be received from the state institutions.
Demand for justice
Yesterday, a statement was issued to the media through the protest demonstration, in which the families of the missing persons appealed that Shabbir Baloch is brought to the fore and justice be provided.
The relatives said that if there is any charge against Shabbir Baloch, then he can be presented in court and proven guilty, and even if he is punished for his crime, he should not be forcibly disappeared.
He said that we are asking the state for the same right that the state provided us under the constitution. When a single person goes missing, his entire family suffers.
Even during September, the relatives of the missing persons staged a peaceful sit-in for 50 days in the Red Zone in front of the Governor House of Balochistan. The sit-in was ended on the assurance of the federal committee that the missing persons would be recovered, but the government did not keep its promise.
