Baloch Students Council denounces enforced disappearances, calls for unity
Nov 03, 2024
Quetta [Balochistan], November 3 : The Baloch Students Council (BSC) Islamabad, representing Baloch students from various universities across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, has issued a statement condemning the ongoing forced disappearances, profiling, and harassment of Baloch students.
In a recent statement, the council asserted that state actions against Baloch youth have exceeded "all limits" in what they describe as unconstitutional treatment of Baloch students, reported The Balochistan Post.
The BSC highlighted recent incidents that they believe reflect a disturbing trend of repression aimed at silencing Baloch students, creating an environment of fear throughout Islamabad's campuses. "The enforced disappearances of Baloch students are occurring with disturbing frequency," a BSC spokesperson stated.
During a hearing at the Islamabad High Court on February 28, 2024, addressing the recovery of missing Baloch students, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar was present. Shortly afterward, Baloch student Imtiaz Alam reportedly went missing.
The BSC noted that the trend has continued following recent visits by Prime Minister Kakar to several universities in Islamabad, during which more cases of Baloch students going missing have emerged, The Balochistan Post reported.
The council also reported a raid by security forces on a Baloch student residence in Rawalpindi the previous day, resulting in the detention of ten students enrolled at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) in Islamabad.
Those reported missing include Saleem Arif, Balach Fida, Khuda Dad, Khalil Ahmed, Khalil Iqbal, Hammal Hasni, Babar Atta, Noor Maheem, Iftikhar Azeem, and Ahsam Akbar.
The BSC spokesperson condemned what they termed "intentional targeting" based on ethnic identity, stating that Baloch students are subject to "collective punishment" under state policies fostering fear on campuses.
The council further emphasised that Baloch students have endured mass disappearances for over a decade, which has severely impacted their pursuit of education in a climate of persistent fear, reported The Balochistan Post.
In their statement, the BSC urged the Baloch community to recognise these abuses and unite against the "collective repression" faced by Baloch students. The council also announced plans to hold a press conference in Islamabad soon to outline their next steps in seeking justice and safety for Baloch students.
