Balochistan: Paank and the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), two of Pakistan’s most prominent human rights organisations, have voiced their indignation over the suspected kidnapping of BYC activist Gulzadi Baloch by Pakistani troops.

BYC revealed in a post on X that its activist Gulzadi Baloch was seized by force from Quetta by police, and her whereabouts are still unknown.

BYC vehemently denounced the unlawful incarceration and demanded her immediate release, calling it just another instance of “state repression” that targets nonviolent activists and voices of opposition.

On X, it said, “Police and CTD officials from Quetta have seized our activist Gulzadi Baloch by force. For now, no one knows where she is. This is just another instance of official persecution directed against nonviolent protestors and campaigners. We demand her immediate release and vehemently condemn her unlawful arrest. We call for immediate attention from human rights organisations and the international community. #ReleaseBYCLeaders No to Tyranny in Pakistan, No to Oppression!” #AvoidBalochGenocide.”

Paank, another human rights organisation, denounced Gulzadiu Baloch’s enforced disappearance and voiced support over her kidnapping.

Sharing the specifics of her kidnapping, Paank described it as “a blatant violation of human rights and international law” and pointed out that it was carried out without following any legal procedures.

Paank pleaded with Pakistani officials to reveal her whereabouts right now, protect her, and prosecute those culpable for her disappearance.

Paank firmly condemns the enforced abduction of Gulzadi Baloch @GullzadiC, an activist with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), who was kidnapped by Pakistani security agents from Brewery Road in Quetta in front of her family. Human rights and international law were flagrantly violated by the kidnapping, which was conducted without any formal judicial proceedings. We urge the Pakistani government to reveal Gulzadi’s whereabouts right now, protect her, and prosecute those behind her abduction. “Peaceful activists in Balochistan must no longer be targeted.”

State persecution, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary executions of activists, academics, and civilians are all problems in Balochistan. The area is neglected economically, has inadequate infrastructure, and has little political authority. Local populations don’t gain much from its abundance of natural resources, and forced disappearances are still a common problem.