Pakistan Police 'Kidnapped' a Young Journalist from his Home in Balochistan at Night, Karachi-Quetta Highway Blocked in Protest

Pakistan : Young journalist Zubair Baloch was allegedly abducted by Pakistani security forces in a late night operation on December 29 at Hub Chowki in Balochistan. Protests have erupted across POB against Zubair's abduction. Zubair's family and local residents on Monday blocked the Karachi-Quetta highway for more than eight hours in a protest. They are demanding the immediate and safe release of Zubair.

According to media reports, at 3 am on Sunday, armed men in a Vigo vehicle raided Zubair Baloch's house and forcibly detained him. Zubair's family has not yet been given any official explanation for his abduction. Zubair's sister told, "We do not know where he has been taken or why he was targeted."

Zubair Baloch, a native of Tijaban in Turbat, holds a degree in political science from the University of Balochistan and has worked with some local media outlets in Balochistan, including the Intekhab newspaper. He was reportedly at Hub checkpoint on leave when he was abducted. Zubair Baloch's family and supporters blocked the CPEC highway and staged protests at Hub bypass and Hoshap to protest his abduction.

Zubair's family has urged local communities to join the sit-in and warned that the protests will continue until Zubair is released. The family is reported to have given the authorities a three-day deadline to ensure the safe return of Zubair Baloch. They have warned that if Zubair is not released within this time frame, they will intensify their protests.

Heute, 30. Dez. 2024, um 15:00 Uhr in Hub Chowki, Balochistan: Kundgebung für die sichere Rückkehr von Zubair Baloch, der angeblich von pakistanischen Kräften entführt wurde. Alle sind aufgerufen, teilzunehmen. #ReleaseZubairBaloch @mahanbaloch370 pic.twitter.com/zb7tAqlR1R

— Baam German (@Baam_German) December 30, 2024

Systematic repression in Pakistan remains a matter of concern, as forced disappearances have become common in the region. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has condemned Zubair's abduction and said, "Given the recent pattern in Balochistan, enforced disappearances are often followed by fake encounters and killings. We are extremely concerned that Zubair may also face a similar fate at the hands of the state." During a press conference with members of BYC HABZON, Zubair's family condemned the rising number of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. They said, "This crisis has affected every Baloch family. Today it is our brother, tomorrow it could be someone else's son or father."

Zubair's abduction is part of a campaign by the Pakistani military to silence journalists, activists and the Baloch movement, who have been demanding autonomy and an end to army-sponsored violence in Balochistan since Pakistan's illegal occupation in 1948. The military's brutal tactics, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, are part of the ongoing campaign by the Pakistani military to silence journalists, activists and the Baloch movement, who have been demanding autonomy and an end to army-sponsored violence in Balochistan since Pakistan's illegal occupation in 1948. Such frequent incidents have forced the Baloch communities to live in fear.