August 6, 2025
By Rana Malhi and Basharat Khan
ISLAMABAD
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), has issued a stark warning regarding the deteriorating situation of Balochistan regarding human rights, governance and political conditions. The warning comes following the release of HRCP’s comprehensive fact-finding mission report to Balochistan, in which 13 urgent recommendations have been presented to the federal and provincial governments, calling for immediate, principled, and rights-based action to arrest the alarming trend of public alienation, political instability and unchecked impunity.
Cease enforced disappearances and ensure justice
At the forefront of its recommendations, HRCP calls on the state to immediately halt the practice of enforced disappearances, ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and provide clarity on the status of a domestic bill against enforced disappearances, passed in 2022.
The report criticizes the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (COIED) for failing to prosecute those responsible, despite having the authority to do so. Instead, it proposes the formation of a new commission with fresh leadership and a clear prosecutorial mandate. HRCP also urged independent investigations into reprisals against those who speak out against enforced disappearances, warning that framing these disappearances within a security narrative tied to insurgency risks normalizing what is internationally recognized as a crime against humanity.
Safeguard electoral and democratic processes
Another pressing concern raised by the mission is the erosion of electoral credibility in Balochistan. Allegations of electoral manipulation and the political sidelining of nationalist parties have, according to HRCP, severely undermined public faith in the democratic process. It has urged the State to investigate allegations of rigging, depoliticize administrative structures, and promote civic engagement to restore democratic legitimacy.
Withdraw anti-terror legislation that enables abuse
The HRCP report condemns the recently passed Anti-Terrorism (Balochistan Amendment) Act 2025, which allows for 90-day detentions without meaningful judicial oversight, and warns of its potential to enable torture and abuse. The mission finds the law incompatible with Pakistan’s human rights obligations and calls for its immediate withdrawal.
Furthermore, the report points out that the internment centres proposed under this law mirror those created under the Action in Aid of Civil Power Ordinance 2019 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It urges the Supreme Court to resolve the pending appeals related to that ordinance and to formally notify internment centres as sub-jails to ensure legal oversight.
End extrajudicial measures
HRCP has also strongly emphasized in its report that all individuals suspected of militant violence must be held accountable through fair trials conducted under national and international human rights standards. The use of extrajudicial measures, including killings and secret detentions, is unacceptable and must be replaced with credible and impartial investigations. HRCP stressed that the state must hold perpetrators of extrajudicial killings accountable, reinforcing its commitment to the rule of law.
Restore provincial autonomy and resource rights
The HRCP calls for the reinstatement of constitutional guarantees under the 18th Amendment, especially regarding provincial autonomy in natural resource management. The report flags specific legislative and administrative actions that have undermined local control, including those related to the Saindak mining project and the Balochistan Mines and Minerals (Amendment) Act 2025. It recommends revisiting these policies to ensure genuine consultation, equitable benefit-sharing, and the inclusion of local stakeholders.
Demilitarize Balochistan and foster dialogue
To rebuild trust, the mission recommends the demilitarization of Balochistan and the initiation of genuine political dialogue with all legitimate stakeholders. It proposes the formation of a national truth and reconciliation commission to promote interprovincial trust and reaffirm Pakistan’s federal, inclusive democratic character. This is seen as essential to addressing Balochistan’s longstanding grievances and halting the province’s slide toward further instability.
Reform civilian policing
The HRCP highlighted the urgent need to integrate all areas of Balochistan under a unified civilian police command, ending the overreliance on paramilitary forces. To ensure rights-based law enforcement, the Balochistan police must be equipped with proper training, resources and capacity-building for community-centered, accountable policing.
Protect human rights defenders
HRCP has also expressed serious concern over the harassment, intimidation and delegitimization of human rights defenders, including organizations like the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). The state is urged to publicly affirm the legitimate role of rights defenders, ensure their protection, and engage constructively with peaceful dissenting voices. Equating human rights advocacy with militancy, the mission warns, only serves to alienate youth and deepen social divides.
Investigate misuse of polio campaigns
Alarming allegations have also surfaced that individuals posing as polio campaign workers have used this guise to intimidate and forcibly enter the homes of rights activists. HRCP has called on the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication to investigate these claims urgently, warning that failure to do so may undermine the credibility of national polio campaigns.
Ensure freedom of expression and media independence
The mission strongly condemned state practices of media interference, financial coercion, and journalist intimidation. It demanded that authorities cease all forms of censorship and ensure that the press is free to report on human rights issues, protests, and state criticism in line with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Reopen borders and address economic desperation
With many border crossings with Iran and Afghanistan shut down, the HRCP highlights the need to urgently reopen these routes to revive legitimate cross-border trade. It recommended targeted economic support and infrastructure investment in agriculture and trade, particularly in border areas, to reduce unemployment and the economic desperation fueling migration.
Respect the rights of Afghan refugees
The HRCP has also denounced the arbitrary expulsion of Afghan refugees, many of whom have lived in Pakistan for over four decades. It insisted that mass expulsions without due process violate fundamental rights under Article 4 of the Constitution, which guarantees dignity, equality and protection for all persons, regardless of their citizenship status.