15 February 2023
By Rehan Piracha
LAHORE
Activists in Quetta have renewed calls for the recovery of missing person Rahim Zehri after protests led to other members of his family being released by security forces and who have returned home.
Speaking to Voicepk.net, Nasrullah Baloch, Chairperson for Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) said that Rashida Bibi, the wife of Rahim Zehri, was finally reunited with her family on Sunday.
Rahim Zehri, Rashida Bibi, their two children, and Rashida Bibi’s mother were reportedly taken into illegal custody by security personnel from their house in Quetta on February 3.
Baloch said Rashida Bibi’s mother and the two children were released after two days. “Members of the Zehri family approached our organisation for the recovery of missing couple Rahim and Rashida,” he told Voicepk.net.
The VBMP team met with concerned police officials as well as highlighted the case of the Zehri family by holding a press conference at Quetta Press Club.
Family members and activists held a protest demonstration outside Quetta Press Club on Tuesday to call for the recovery of the missing husband and wife, Baloch said. Workers and supporters of different political parties, including BNP-Mengal and National Party, and students also participated in the rally organised by the VBMP.
Baloch said the father of Rashida Bibi had informed him that she had returned home on Tuesday. However, her husband, Rahim, was still missing, he said.
The VBMP chairman urged authorities to take measures for the early return of Rahim Zehri. He said enforced disappearances were spreading disaffection among the population in the province. He said enforced disappearances should end and any person wanted in connection with a crime should be brought before a court to stand trial according to the law of the land.