Baloch youth disappear after forced deportation from Bahrain
Sep 10, 2024
Quetta [Pakistan], September 10 : Amid escalating reports of enforced disappearances and abuse in Balochistan by Pakistani armed forces, a young Baloch man has reportedly gone missing in Pakistan after being forcibly deported from Bahrain, according to a report by The Balochistan Post.
A disturbing report has emerged regarding the detention and deportation of Asad Baloch, a resident of Mand Kanik, by Bahraini authorities on August 28. Baloch was taken into custody without any clear explanation or charges, sparking concerns about the legality of his detention.
Following his deportation, Baloch was flown from Bahrain to Karachi via the United Arab Emirates, arriving at Karachi airport on August 29. However, in a shocking turn of events, he was allegedly abducted by Pakistani authorities upon arrival, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.
The report adds that Asad's family is calling for his immediate release, emphasising that if he is suspected of any crime, he should be legally presented before a court. It also draws parallels to a 2018 incident when Rashid Hussain was detained in the UAE and later deported to Pakistan, where he similarly disappeared. The deportation of Baloch individuals at risk in Pakistan from Gulf nations has become a growing concern, The Balochistan Post reported.
In a similar case in 2022, businessman Hafeez Baloch was detained by UAE security forces and deported to Pakistan, where he too went missing. After over five months of the enforced disappearance, Hafeez resurfaced in a Karachi jail and was later acquitted of all charges, as the allegations against him could not be proven in court.
An earlier report by The Balochistan Post, published in August, highlighted ongoing enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the region. It noted that nine individuals were released, while six bodies were discovered. The issue remains persistent, particularly in districts like Kech, Quetta, and Panjgur, where such incidents continue unabated.
Kech reports the highest number of cases with 14 incidents, followed by Quetta with seven, and other districts experiencing fewer occurrences. This crisis has been a persistent issue for over twenty years, impacting students, activists, journalists, and politicians. The ongoing turmoil is exacerbated by severe distress among families, especially women and the elderly, who endure great suffering over the fate of their missing relatives.
