Deen Muhammad Baloch was a government employee in Balochistan who has been missing since 2009. He was also a political activist and a close associate of Chairman Ghulam Mohammed Baloch in the revival of non-parliamentary and libertarian politics. He was associated with the struggle for the national rights of Baloch.[1]
Deen Muhammad Baloch | |
|---|---|
| Disappeared | June 28, 2009 Ornach, Khuzdar, Balochistan |
| Status | missing |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Occupation(s) | Government employee, Political activist |
| Known for | Advocacy for Baloch national rights |
| Title | Doctor |
Disappearance
editOn the night of 28 June 2009, Deen Muhammad was forcibly disappeared from the hospital while on duty in Ornach, Khuzdar area.[2][3][4] His family has tried to recover him by demanding from the judiciary, Pakistan's parliament, political parties and human rights organizations.[3]
Family's struggle
editHis daughter Sammi Deen Baloch has been at the forefront of his recovery struggle.[5][6] She has spent much of her time on the streets, in front of journalists' press clubs across Pakistan - photograph in hand, asking the question: "Where is my father? What is his crime?"[1]
Protests and advocacy
editThe families of missing persons from Balochistan, including the family of Deen Muhammad Baloch, have held protests in different cities.[7][8] They have demanded an end to enforced disappearances, the release of all Baloch missing persons and an investigation into the alleged fake encounter.[9]
Legal actions
editSenior politician and lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the practice of enforced disappearances. The petition highlighted the case of Deen Muhammad Baloch and disputed the figures stated by caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar that there are 50 missing persons in Balochistan.[10]
Government response
editThe government has assured that it is committed to reduce the number of cases of missing persons in the future and get rid of the scourge.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b "Balochistan's People Want Equity". The Friday Times. July 16, 2023. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "The long wait". 28 June 2020. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Fourteen years of Dr. Deen Mohammad's enforced disappearance - TBP Editorial". June 25, 2023. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "More than 5,000 people are missing in Balochistan. I want my father back". The Guardian. July 6, 2022. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "والد 11 سال سے لاپتہ ہیں، معلوم نہیں زندہ بھی ہیں یا نہیں: سمی بلوچ" [Father missing for 11 years, not sure whether he is alive or not: Sami Baloch]. 10 December 2020. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Govt efforts continue to reduce number of missing persons". September 15, 2022. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "بلوچ یکجہتی مارچ میں آٹھ ماہ کی بچی اور 85 سالہ بزرگ بھی موجود:'لاپتہ افراد کے معاملے میں وزیراعظم سے امید لگانا بے وقوفی ہو گی'" [An eight-month-old girl and an 85-year-old man were also present in the Baloch Unity March: 'It would be foolish to hope for the Prime Minister in the case of missing persons'.]. 23 December 2023. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ "In Balochistan, Families Demand Answers for Forced Disappearances". thediplomat.com. Archived from the original on 2023-12-29. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
- ^ "Aitzaz moves SC against citizens going 'missing'". The Express Tribune. October 25, 2023. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.