January 26, 2026
By Shaukat Korai
KARACHI
Authorities blocked a scheduled press conference by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) aimed at presenting their annual report on the human rights situation in Balochistan. On Sunday, all entry routes to the Karachi Press Club were sealed off with containers and vehicles.
This is the second such incident at the venue. Last month, similar restrictions were imposed when the Aurat March announced a press conference against the arrests of women in Balochistan.
Access to press club denied
From early morning, police erected barriers on all routes leading to the Karachi Press Club. When BYC’s central leader Sammi Deen Baloch, Fauzia Baloch, family members of missing activist Nasreen Baloch, and representatives of the Aurat March arrived at the press club, they were prevented from entering.
Fauzia Baloch, a leader of the BYC Karachi chapter, told Voicepk: “When we reached the press club, police officials kept deflecting us. We were told not to use this gate but to go to another gate. We tried every entry route, but after considerable argument, we were told they would not allow us inside the club.”
Police officials stated they had been instructed by higher authorities not to allow anyone to enter the press club. One official told the BYC leaders that “they were like his sisters, but he could not grant permission as he was bound by these orders.”
During this time, police also arrested a woman dressed in Balochi attire from outside the press club.
Press briefing at undisclosed location
After being denied entry to the press club, Baloch Solidarity Committee leaders held a press briefing at an undisclosed location.
Sammi Deen Baloch, a leader of the BYC, said: “The state won’t even let us speak. We had booked the press club for our press conference, but we were not allowed to go. We wanted to present our report to the media, but we were forced to change the location.”
Balochistan: worst year for human rights violations
Presenting details of the report, Sammi Deen Baloch said: “The year 2025 has been the worst year for human rights in Balochistan. Compared to previous years, there have been far more human rights violations in 2025.”
She added: “Balochistan is not only facing the issue of enforced disappearances, but people are also confronting problems like targeted killings, lack of health and education facilities, road accidents, and increasing deaths from diseases like cancer. The state and its mafia are not allowing organized political forces to emerge.”
Statistics on enforced disappearances
According to the report, 1,223 people were disappeared during 2025. Of these, 348 were produced, and among them, 43 individuals were either killed in fake encounters or their bodies were dumped after torture.
Enforced disappearances were reported from 27 districts of Balochistan. The highest number of cases came from Kech district, where 339 people were disappeared. This was followed by Awaran with 114, Gwadar with 91, Panjgur with 92, Dera Bugti with 91, and Quetta with 81 people forcibly disappeared.
Last year, those forcibly disappeared included 18 women and 75 minors. Students and teachers comprised 40 percent of the missing persons.
The report accused the Frontier Constabulary of allegedly forcibly disappearing 652 people, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of allegedly disappearing 211, the Military Intelligence (MI) allegedly disappearing 173. The report claimed that state-backed death squads allegedly while accusing the ISI of forcibly picking up 28 individuals.
The Nasreen Baloch Case
Waseema Baloch, cousin of missing activist Nasreen Baloch, said: “Nasreen Baloch has been picked up innocently. If there is a crime against her, she should be presented in court. We were told to remain silent and Nasreen Baloch would be returned, but until now she has not been returned.”
Attempts to silence women’s voices
An organizer from Aurat March said: “The state does not want women to come out and participate in the struggle. They want to suppress women’s voices.”
She added: “Those who speak in their favor are now also being punished. All organizations participating in Aurat March stand with Baloch women.”
Media blackout and lack of justice
Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders further stated that there is a media blackout in Balochistan and justice is not being delivered in courts. Even when Mahrang Baloch and BSC leaders are granted bail in any case, additional cases are filed against them.