In March 2025, the Pakistani military launched a brutal crackdown on the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a peaceful organization advocating against the enforced disappearances of Baloch people. This crackdown followed a series of demonstrations led by BYC demanding justice for missing persons and their families.
The repression escalated when BYC members and supporters gathered at Civil Hospital Quetta after reports emerged that Pakistani forces had secretly buried 12 bodies in Quetta’s Qasi graveyard without informing families or conducting DNA tests. These bodies were believed to be victims of enforced disappearances, many of whom had been missing for years. Families gathered at the hospital hoping to identify their loved ones, but authorities blocked them from viewing the bodies, sparking protests.
In response, Pakistani forces arrested Saeeda Baloch and her sisters victims of enforced disappearances themselves who were later released on bail. The Pakistani military’s spokesperson, DG ISPR, appeared on television, declaring that Pakistan would now act as a “hard state,” signaling further oppression against the Baloch people.
When BYC staged protests in Quetta, security forces opened fire on demonstrators, killing three and injuring several others. Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the leader of BYC who was named in Time’s 100 Emerging Leaders of 2024, BBC’s 100 Women of 2024, and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2025 led further protests in Saryab, Quetta, alongside three bodies of those killed in the demonstration. Pakistani forces attacked the demonstration, abducting Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Beebow Baloch, and others, including the three bodies.
As news spread, thousands of Baloch took to the streets in protest. The military responded with violence, sabotaging the demonstrations five times in a single night. Dr. Mahrang’s sister, Nida Baloch, and her lawyer made repeated attempts to meet her but were denied access. When the family insisted on a sit in protest authorities finally allowed them only a few minutes to see her.
The following day, thousands of Baloch organized a massive rally in Karachi, led by Wahab Baloch deputy organiser of BYC and the Frontline award winner, Sammi Deen whose father, Dr. Deen Mohammad Baloch was abducted in 2009 and remains missing. During the protest, Sammi Deen was brutally beaten, her scarf pulled by security forces, and she was arrested once again despite being previously bailed by a Karachi court.
The crackdown intensified further. BYC’s central member Beebagar Baloch, was abducted along with his PhD holder brother. Another BYC leader, Sabagtullah Shah Ji, faced three consecutive military raids on his home in a single night, leading to the abduction of his brother and nephew. While his family members were later released, Sabagtullah Shah Ji remains missing.
As the entire leadership of BYC was systematically abducted, the protests spread across Balochistan. Every day, hundreds of Baloch were being forcibly disappeared, their whereabouts unknown. Despite BYC’s peaceful activism, Pakistani forces continued their unlawful arrests, deepening the crisis of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
