Reports have surfaced that eight students from Balochistan are missing in Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan. Thereby raising many an eyebrow of suspicion and pointing an accusing finger at the law enforcement agencies for their disappearance. The students were staying together in Gulistan-i-Jauhar and had disappeared on October 16. Families of the missing students have accused the law enforcement agencies “taking them away,” though police declined to comment on the allegations.
Those missing include Shoaib Ali, Haneef, Ishfaq, Shahzad, Bebarg Ameer, Zubair, Qambar Ali, and Saeedullah. Sources say that Karachi University enrolled three of the missing persons, three attended a seminary, one studies as an intermediate student, and one studies at Urdu University. The families of the missing students claim that law enforcement agencies picked them up from their residence in Rustam Zikri Goth. Wazir Ahmed, the elder brother of one of the missing students, Qambar Ali, spoke to Dawn about the incident.
Qambar, an intermediate student from Mashkey, Awaran, had been taking coaching classes at a tuition academy near Nipa at the time of the incident, he said. Ahmed along with the families of other boys proceeded to the police and lodged a complaint on October 17. However, SHO refused to lodge their complaint. Ahmed insisted that the students did not have any political affiliations and were not involved in any suspicious activities. He demanded the release of the boys at once.
Riaz Ahmed, a member of Karachi University syndicate, also condemned the disappearances. “It is horrifying that students are apprehended and made to disappear without charges. Young students should not face such harsh realities of state actions.”
The phenomenon of enforced disappearances is an old human rights issue in Balochistan, where the disappearance of political leaders, students, and activists often occurs under mysterious circumstances. With many suspecting involvement by state security forces or non-state actors. This issue has also kept on raising serious concerns over human rights and the rule of law in the region.
The disappearances have also created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in Balochistan. Throughout this process, the families face emotional trauma while struggling to access the justice system. Many criticize the government for its failure to address the cases of the disappeared. As numerous families still have not received any information about their loved ones.
ANI
