Five Baloch Students at University of Karachi Reportedly Disappeared After Late-Night Raid

Five Baloch students enrolled at the University of Karachi have gone missing after a late-night raid on their residence in Karachi, according to the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC). The student organisation said personnel from law-enforcement agencies and Pakistan Rangers entered a residential flat in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area at around 2am on August 5 and took the students away. BSAC said that the students were physically assaulted and harassed during the operation and that their belongings were also taken.

The organisation identified the missing students as Azhar Baloch, Ghaus Baksh Baloch, Shehzad Baloch, Anees Baloch and Waseem Baloch. According to BSAC, Azhar Baloch, from Gwadar, is studying General History, while his brother Ghaus Baksh is pursuing a degree in Economics. Shehzad Baloch, also from Gwadar, is an Environmental Science student. Anees Baloch, from Noshki, is studying Philosophy, while Waseem Baloch, from Kalat, is enrolled in Political Science.

BSAC said the students had travelled from their respective home districts to Karachi to pursue higher education but had instead become victims of what it described as enforced disappearance. The reported disappearances have prompted criticism from Baloch rights activists and student organisations, who say the incident reflects a broader pattern of alleged targeting of Baloch students. Baloch Yakjehti Committee leader Dr Sabiha Baloch described the alleged disappearances as part of a "persistent pattern" and accused authorities of treating young Baloch students as targets.

Another BYC leader, Sammi Deen Baloch, said educational institutions should provide a safe environment for students and argued that anyone facing allegations should be presented before a court. "If these students face any allegations, they should be presented before a court in accordance with the law," she said, calling for their immediate recovery if no legal case exists against them. The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) also expressed concern over the reported disappearance of Baloch students. It called on authorities to disclose their whereabouts, ensure their safety and either release them or produce them before a competent court.

BSAC also highlighted earlier cases involving other Baloch students. The organisation said Khalil Baloch, an MPhil student at the University of Karachi, had previously been taken from the university premises. It also cited the case of Zubair Baloch, a BS Chemistry graduate of Degree College Hub, who was allegedly disappeared from Hub after returning from a hearing in a Fourth Schedule case. BSAC demanded an end to what it called harassment of Baloch students and urged authorities to ensure the safe release of all seven students referenced in its statement.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from the Balochistan Post.