Reality of Baloch missing persons
The problem is not what is being portrayed
IN recent weeks, there has been an uptick in actions in Balochistan by purported supporters of the Baloch people aiming to instill fear. Having failed to disrupt security and infrastructure, the Baloch Liberation Army has reverted to its original tactics.
In a recent act of cowardice, they stopped the Makka coach from Quetta to Taftan on National Highway N-40 at Nushki and killed nine innocent labourers. These terrorists are not involved in any legitimate struggle for rights; instead, they are criminals, thieves, and anti-national elements causing harm in various ways.
They receive substantial rewards from enemy intelligence agencies for perpetrating such terrorist acts. Not only do these unscrupulous individuals rob labourers seeking employment opportunities, but they also resort to violence against them. Their aim is to spread fear and panic in society while conducting terrorist activities against the state and its institutions.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the leader of the Baloch Solidarity Committee, and her fellow journalists, who are purported human rights advocates but are accused of defaming the state and its institutions under the guise of advocating for missing persons, are unable to justify the killing of these nine innocent citizens. They fail to express solidarity and offer condolences to the families of these victims of violence. They lack the moral courage to condemn terrorist acts and terrorism. Indeed, those who support terrorism and terrorists or speak in their favor cannot be considered patriotic or loyal to the people of Balochistan and the state of Pakistan.
In an era marked by global uncertainties, terrorism emerges as a prominent threat to peace, stability, and human security. As nations contend with the multifaceted challenges posed by extremist ideologies and violent actions, it becomes the duty of governments to confront these threats with steadfast determination and robust measures. Dealing strictly with terrorists is not merely an option but a fundamental obligation in safeguarding societies and upholding the rule of law.
The Pakistani Government and the Pakistan Army are taking robust and decisive actions to eradicate terrorism from the country. Recently, COAS Gen Syed Asim Munir presided over the 264th Corps Commanders’ Conference held at GHQ. The forum paid tribute to the sacrifices of martyrs, including officers and personnel of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and citizens who have laid down their lives for peace and stability in the country. COAS commended the tireless efforts of the Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies in successfully thwarting numerous terrorist attacks and neutralizing key terrorist commanders during ongoing counterterrorism operations. The COAS instructed commanders to actively prevent terrorists from gaining any foothold. He stated, “The Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAS) of Pakistan, with full support from the resilient nation, are resolute in permanently eradicating this threat from Pakistan, by the grace of God.”
The conference condemned the heartless terrorist attack targeting Chinese nationals in Besham, as well as the cruel killings of innocent civilians in Baluchistan. The participants were briefed on how terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan pose a threat to regional and global security, while also serving as proxies against Pakistan and its economic interests, particularly the China-pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
In Pakistan, when the government and law enforcement agencies take decisive actions against terrorist elements, purported human rights advocates promptly intervene. Interestingly, these advocates often remain silent when other countries implement even stricter measures against such elements within their territories.
Our judicial system is widely recognized for its flaws and delays, often resulting in cases dragging on for years and leading to the wrongful conviction of innocent individuals while the actual perpetrators evade justice. In such circumstances, whenever our agencies detain someone for investigation and evidence gathering, accusations of coercive and illegal arrests frequently arise. I firmly believe that our agencies do not apprehend innocent individuals without cause, and there is always substance behind these arrests.
If someone is innocent and has not acted against the state or the armed forces, there should be no grounds for their apprehension. Behind every missing person, there is always a story, and our religion emphasizes the love for our country, the nation that has granted us identity and freedom. Therefore, it is the duty of every individual to recognize the significance of our freedom, an independent nation, and a patriotic armed forces.
While it may be tempting to immediately blame agencies for allegedly capturing innocents, it is crucial to remember that many of these arrests have led to the identification of numerous terrorists, anti-state elements, and foreign agents. Terrorists rarely confess to their crimes voluntarily, and thorough investigations are essential for extracting information from them.
National security is a non-negotiable priority, and no country compromises on this aspect. I have encountered numerous columnists and journalists who constantly criticize the agencies, often focusing on only one aspect of the situation. In presenting a comprehensive and truthful perspective, I aim to address those who question why some individuals disappear. I do not claim that all missing persons are guilty, as it is not my role or that of journalists to make such judgments. Only a thorough investigation can determine the innocence or guilt of individuals.
Several factors contribute to the phenomenon of missing persons. Importantly, not all individuals reported missing are within the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies; some have connections to terrorist organizations and are involved in activities against the state. Individuals associated with terrorism may go into hiding to avoid arrest. Additionally, some people go missing due to personal vendettas, seeking shelter in remote areas to evade potential retaliation from adversaries. Others may be involved in crossborder smuggling and various criminal activities, leading them to evade detection by remaining in hiding.
The categorization of these individuals as missing persons can be deliberate or inadvertent, influenced by deliberate actions or a lack of awareness. Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies have consistently committed themselves to safeguarding fundamental human rights as mandated by the constitution. In pursuit of this goal, Pakistan’s security forces have made numerous sacrifices to secure the well-being of individuals and society. However, despite their unwavering dedication, these agencies often face unjust accusations regarding missing persons disappearances, unsupported by evidence. Furthermore, a deliberate social media campaign spreads this misinformation, fostering misconceptions among the public.
The issue of missing persons is pervasive worldwide, and Pakistan is no exception, with various factors contributing to its exacerbation. While human rights organizations tend to scrutinize security forces, they often overlook the underlying factors or ground realities. Voluntary disappearances, sometimes mistaken for enforced disappearances, are prevalent, with instances of individuals choosing to vanish without notifying their families.
Furthermore, investigations reveal cases where individuals deliberately disappear to evade arrest by law enforcement agencies. Additionally, identifying abandoned deceased individuals poses a significant challenge. Based on meticulous statistics from Edhi and Chippa, over 35,000 abandoned bodies have been interred throughout the country solely by these two NGOS since 2005.
It’s crucial to distinguish between cases of missing persons and enforced disappearances, as often, missing individuals are later discovered to have been casualties of security force actions during counterterrorism operations in the country. For instance, in a past incident, terrorist Karim Jan, listed as missing, was killed during an attack on the Gwadar Port Authority complex. His sister formally requested his body following the incident. Similarly, the sister of terrorist Abdul Wadud Satakzai had been searching for her brother since August 12, 2021, before learning of his death in the Mach attack.
When compared to other nations, it becomes evident that the issue of missing persons is a significant global concern, extending to developed countries such as the US, UK, and Europe, as indicated by credible sources from various nations. A comparative analysis of missing persons reports underscores the gravity of this issue.
In the US, the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) reported 521,705 cases in its 2021 publication on the FBI website. The UK’S Missing Persons Unit (MPU) data for 2020/21 documented 241,064 cases. A 2018 news report in Germany cited 11,000 missing persons. In India, the number of cases reached 347,524 in 2018. According to the Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) witnessed 8,000 cases from 1989 to 2012. Nepal reported 10,418 cases in the year 2020/21. These statistics vividly depict the widespread occurrence of missing persons cases and the persistent challenges countries encounter in addressing this issue.
The Government of Pakistan is actively engaged in ongoing efforts to locate missing persons. In this context, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (COIOED), succeeding the Commission on Missing Persons established in 2011 under the Ministry of Interior, is diligently addressing this issue. As of March 2024, the Commission has recorded a total of 10,203 cases, with 7,901 cases successfully resolved. However, 2,302 cases remain unresolved.
Although the reported number of “missing persons” cases in Pakistan is relatively low, both domestic and international actors have made deliberate efforts to portray Pakistan as a country with a significant number of missing persons. There is undeniable evidence of banned Baloch militants engaging Pakistani nationals for terrorist activities, offering lucrative compensation to sow instability within Pakistan.
Simultaneously, despite the relatively low count of “missing persons” cases in Pakistan, both domestic and foreign adversaries have attempted to depict Pakistan as a nation with a substantial population of missing individuals. These hostile entities utilize figures like Dr. Mahrang Baloch to disseminate false propaganda and instigate hatred against the country. Dr. Mahrang & Co. is attempting to exploit public sentiments against the state by presenting a distorted picture.
It is evident that the BLA and its leaders are merely using the issue of missing persons as a political tool. They have no genuine concern for the actual issues faced by the people of Balochistan. The people of Pakistan and Balochistan recognize the true intentions of these anti-state elements and wholeheartedly support the concrete measures taken by the government and the Pakistani Army to combat terrorism.