Balochistan: Families face prolonged distress as protest over missing persons continues

Quetta [Balochistan], August 23 (ANI): A protest camp organised by the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) against alleged enforced disappearances in Balochistan has continued outside the Quetta Press Club for the 6,335th consecutive day, according to a report published by the Balochistan Post.
The Balochistan Post reported that VBMP Chairman Nasrullah Baloch, while addressing the protest camp, said the issue of enforced disappearances had persisted in Balochistan for years, leaving families of missing persons facing prolonged distress, uncertainty and psychological pressure.
According to the report, Nasrullah said families had repeatedly used peaceful and legal avenues to seek information about and the recovery of their missing relatives. He said many families had continued their struggle for years, but numerous missing persons had still not been traced, while their relatives remained without clear information about their whereabouts.
The VBMP, a rights group that has for years campaigned on the issue of missing persons, has maintained a protest presence in Quetta as part of its demand for information about disappeared individuals and an end to enforced disappearances. As reported by the Balochistan Post, Nasrullah said the organisation's campaign was based on peaceful and democratic means and aimed at securing the recovery of missing persons, ending enforced disappearances and protecting the fundamental and legal rights of citizens. He called for all missing persons to be recovered immediately. He also said that if anyone is facing criminal charges or allegations, the person should be presented before a court and dealt with according to law rather than being subjected to disappearance.
The Balochistan Post further quoted Nasrullah as saying that the impact of an alleged enforced disappearance extends beyond the missing individual, placing entire families under prolonged emotional and psychological hardship. He urged state institutions and relevant authorities to provide families with information about their missing relatives and take effective steps to address the issue.
The continuing protest highlights the longstanding concerns raised by families and rights groups over enforced disappearances in Balochistan, while underscoring their demand for due process, accountability and clarity regarding the fate of missing persons. (ANI)