Pakistani army targeting Baloch women, forced disappearances on the rise

News Topical, Digital Desk : Serious human rights concerns continue to arise regarding incidents of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Families and human rights organizations claim that two more Baloch women have allegedly been abducted during separate security operations in Khuzdar and Kech districts, reports The Balochistan Post.

During the operation, family members were reportedly assaulted, and a woman named Samina, the daughter of Ornach's friend, Mohammed, was detained. His cousin, Qambar, was also taken into custody. The two were reportedly taken to an undisclosed location, and no information has been released about their legal status or whereabouts.

Human Rights Council expressed deep concern

The Balochistan Human Rights Council confirmed the incident and expressed concern over the increasing number of cases involving women. The council said the detainees were in effect "enforced disappearances" because they had not been brought before any court.

In another case, 22-year-old Gul Banuk was reportedly detained during a late-night raid in the Singabad area of ​​Kech district on April 14. Her whereabouts are still unknown, according to the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).

The arrest has drawn strong criticism

BYC leader Dr. Sabiha Baloch criticized these arrests, questioning the lack of due process and transparency. She argued that targeting women appears to be a tactic aimed at pressuring families and suppressing dissent.

He further alleged that those arrested are often not allowed to meet anyone and are later produced in suspicious circumstances, as also reported by 'The Balochistan Post'.

These incidents come after several similar incidents, including the alleged detention of Quetta nursing student Khadija Baloch and the case of Haseena Baloch, who was allegedly abducted from Karachi.

Human rights groups claim that at least five Baloch women have gone missing in April alone, while around 15 have been reported missing in recent months, according to The Balochistan Post.

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