July 26, 2024
By Nadeem Khan
TURBAT
For the past week, families of missing persons have been staging a dharna in Turbat, Balochistan, demanding the immediate release of their loved ones. Despite the intense heat, women, children, and the elderly are participating in the protest.
Asma’s husband, Sameer Baloch, has been missing for 11 months. “My husband was travelling to Karachi for his colleagues’ treatment in September last year when he was picked up. Every time we approach the authorities, they tell us he will return soon.”
She demands that her husband be presented in the court if he has committed a crime.
Jan Mohammad has been missing for 11 years. His son mentioned that last month, Deputy Commissioner Kech met with the families twice, assuring them that their missing relatives would return soon. “On his assurance, we rescheduled the protest twice. But since the men remain missing, we have decided to stage the sit-in for the third time,” he said.
Wali Mohammad is another individual whose whereabouts remain unknown since November 17, 2023. His cousin said, “The authorities tell us that Wali will return today or tomorrow. We are waiting for him to come home.”
The families of the missing persons claim the authorities have conducted no meaningful negotiations with them.