The Balochistan Post reported that the protest organised by the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) in Quetta reached its 5,864th successive day this Friday, marking over 16 years of enforced disappearances of family members in the longest running hunger strike protest of South Asia.

The families of the victims gathered on Friday, calling for justice for thousands of Baloch individuals reportedly abducted by Pakistani security personnel. In this gathering, Vice Chairman of the  VBMP, Mama Qadeer Baloch, emphasised that “enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and constraints on civil liberties have become ingrained in Balochistan.” He adds, “These incidents are not isolated. They reflect a broader agenda that has devastated generations. Behind every missing individual is a mother who continues to wait and a child who still holds hope.” 

He accused the state of forgoing the democratic right to protest but allowing non-state militant groups to operate freely. He said the military offensives have escalated in areas such as Makran, Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, Mastung, Bolan, Mach, Harnai, and Dukki, leaving the locals afraid of what’s to come. “The Baloch are stripped of even the right to mourn with dignity,” Mama Qadeer said, bringing this to the attention of the United Nations and other international human rights organisations, pushing for an international investigation and justice for all the families subject to the disappearances.