Security forces reportedly fired several shots near a protest demonstration in Hoshab, Balochistan, seeking a safe return of a missing Baloch student, Zaman Baloch, according to The Balochistan Post.
Breaking: Pakistani forces have fired several shots near a protest demonstration on CPEC road near Hoshaap, where relatives of a missing student Zaman Baloch have blocked the highway against Zaman’s enforced disappearance. pic.twitter.com/nORzHYvA2A
— The Balochistan Post – English (@TBPEnglish) February 13, 2023
The family of the missing student staged the demonstrations on CPEC Road near Hoshab.
This is allegedly the second time Zaman Baloch was forcibly disappeared.
Pakistani Officials and DC are Threatening The Family members of Missing Zaman Baloch. Zaman Family is protesting for his safe Release but Instead of His Release they are threatening the Family#ReleaseZamanBaloch pic.twitter.com/Zp68SmuZ5Y
— بشام بلوچ (@bashamBSMA) February 13, 2023
The family of Zaman Baloch has said that they will continue with the protests until Zaman Baloch’s safe return.
Quetta: Locals have blocked M8 (CPEC road) from Hoshab check-post upon ‘second-time abduction’ of Zaman Baloch, a resident of Balgatar (Kech). “The ultimatum to release him was given yesterday at Turbat Press Club against the illegal detention.”
Source and pics: @VGidroshia pic.twitter.com/OnSX7tUwKm
— Ali Jan Maqsood (@Alijanmaqsood12) February 13, 2023
The issue of enforced disappearances is a severe and longstanding issue in Pakistan. Among the missing persons, the majority of people are from Baloch and Pashtun ethnicities.
Earlier, unidentified men allegedly abducted a Baloch citizen identified as Muhammad Rahim Zehri along with his family members, including his mother, wife, and children, from Quetta. According to reports, Zehri’s mother and children have returned. However, Zehri and his wife are still missing.
According to a report released by the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (COIOED) in July 2022, a total of 8,696 cases of missing persons have been reported. While 6,513 of these cases have been solved, 2,219 are still pending. However, human rights activists claim the number is much higher than this.
