Protests against enforced disappearances in Pakistan gain momentum

In Islamabad, Pakistani police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse female-led protests, resulting in at least 200 arrests, including protest leader Mahrang Baloch. The protesters, who have been marching across the country for weeks, are demanding justice for alleged enforced disappearances of men in Balochistan province. The unrest was sparked by the death of Baloch man Balach Mola Bakhsh, who his relatives claim was shot dead while in police custody. The protesters have faced resistance from police officers and have been prevented from entering the Red Zone, the area in Islamabad where key government buildings are located. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, where individuals are allegedly arrested by intelligence services and cannot be traced or acknowledged by the government. The Balochistan nationalist movement, which dates back to the early 2000s, has sought to bring global attention to this issue. The recent killing of Bakhsh and the subsequent protests have intensified the demand for an end to enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and accountability for those involved. Although the authorities have attempted to suppress the protests, the women leading the movement remain resilient and committed to peaceful demonstration.