Pakistan: In a recent annual report published by Paank, the human rights organization of the Balochistan National Movement, the past year was a dreadful and distressing period for the Balochistan region as several unfortunate incidents took place, such as the disappearance of around 629 people, extrajudicially killed 195 along with 187 tortured.
The human rights situations of the past year in Balochistan were highlighted in the published report of Paank through the help of infographics. As per the reports, around 92 people forcefully disappeared, along with 15 murders and a person tortured by the Pakistani security forces.
As per the information, in February 2022, the numbers were even bigger as 95 were forcibly disappeared, and 5 cases of torture with 42 murders were reported in the system. In addition, the number of disappearances in march was nearly 62, 19 people were killed, and six were tortured. Moving further, there was 39 murders, 18 tortures and 50 cases of disappearances in April. Said reports.
Furthermore, it was reported that the torture cells of Pakistan released around 187 people who were forcibly disappeared by the Pakistani army last year. Whereas in May 2022, the disappearance cases were reportedly recorded, nearly 61 and 5 were murdered, along with 22 tortures. In June, 26 people were forcibly disappeared, and 28 were tortured with 16 murders.
The same tragic incident went on for the rest of the past year as well in the Balochistan region of Pakistan such as August, September, October, November and December, when forceful disappearances, murders and torture cases came to daylight and were reported by the Paank, the human rights organization.
According to the sources, 2022 was full of conspiracies, including mass punishment, unethical killings, forced disappearances, mass massacres, and violent incidents. “The year 2022 was a dark year for the Balochistan region,” said reports.
Moreover, the counter-terrorism department working under the Pakistani army subjected Balochs in huge numbers, including women and children, to forced disappearances, punishments, ethical killings, massacre, and tourture.
Another associated thing came to light: the Pakistani army isolated the families of forced disappearances and other victims, and they are suffering from isolation in political terms in Balochistan. The victims’ families are protesting against the shameful act of the Pakistani army along with the fast recovery of their loved ones.
Meanwhile, the government of Balochistan has been planning to set up a committee to find the missing persons; the officials have also concluded that the committee will be the third government body in Pakistan handling the task.