Reports of multiple disappearances in Pakistan’s Balochistan province have triggered anxiety among families and rights groups, with at least seven individuals said to be missing in incidents linked to Panjgur and Karachi.
Residents of Pulabad in Panjgur described a recent late-night raid in which armed personnel allegedly searched homes and detained several men. Witnesses claimed that at least six individuals were taken to unknown locations. Two of the names cited locally were Inayat and Rasheed, though full details have not been independently verified.
Marketplace detention reported
In a separate incident, 23-year-old Zulfiqar, son of Hameed and a resident of Tasp, was reportedly detained from a marketplace on February 13. Locals alleged that the detention was carried out by individuals linked to a state-backed armed faction. His family has reportedly not received any official information regarding his whereabouts or condition.
Student case in Karachi
Another case involves Zakir Noor, a student from Panjgur, who was allegedly detained in Karachi on December 30, 2025. The Baloch rights organisation Paank stated that Noor was taken by security personnel without formal legal documentation.
According to activists, Noor has not contacted his family since, raising concerns that he may be held in an undisclosed detention facility. Rights groups argue that secret detentions violate international standards protecting individuals from arbitrary arrest.
Pattern of concern
Advocacy organisations say students and young men, particularly those who move to major cities for education or employment, appear to be disproportionately affected.
Pakistani authorities have not issued detailed public statements regarding the specific cases mentioned. Allegations of enforced disappearances in Balochistan have been a long-standing human rights concern, with families frequently demanding transparency and due process.
Calls continue from civil society groups for clarification on the missing individuals’ status and adherence to legal safeguards.