The Baloch Students Council (BSC) has issued a strong condemnation regarding the alarming increase in enforced disappearances of Baloch students, labeling the situation a serious violation of human rights. In an official report, the Council revealed that ten students were abducted on October 16 and 17—nine from Karachi and one from Khuzdar. The BSC claims these incidents are part of a deliberate campaign by the Pakistani state to suppress the Baloch youth.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the BSC stated, “The escalating crisis of Enforced Disappearances of Baloch Students is a grave human rights issue that demands immediate political attention. #EndEnforcedDisappearances.”
The Council’s statement highlighted a growing climate of fear in educational institutions, where Baloch students reportedly face harassment and surveillance. They referenced ongoing cases, such as those of Feroz Baloch and Ahmed Khan, who have been missing for over two years, with families still seeking justice. “These disappearances are a clear attempt to undermine Baloch students’ right to education and free expression,” the Council asserted.
The BSC reported that the trend of disappearances extends beyond students, indicating a broader repression aimed at silencing dissent among ordinary Baloch citizens. In total, 82 abductions have been documented this month, with recent cases emerging from Nushki and Dera Bugti. The Council criticized state authorities for their inaction in the face of ongoing peaceful protests demanding the release of the abducted individuals.
The BSC is calling on the international community and human rights organizations to intervene, holding the Pakistani state and its intelligence agencies accountable for these violations. “We call for immediate action and accountability from Pakistan,” the Council emphasized, warning that these enforced disappearances further marginalize an already oppressed community.
Balochistan, the home region of the Baloch people, has a long history of human rights abuses, particularly through enforced disappearances of political activists, journalists, and citizens. Families of the abducted often remain in anguish, left without information regarding the fate of their loved ones. This systematic targeting has created a pervasive climate of fear, suppressing calls for autonomy and human rights in the region.
