Balochistan: Mass Abductions Continue Near CPEC Route
On Thursday, 1 December 2016, twenty-two Balochs were abducted by Pakistani security forces. It is believed that this latest wave of abductions is designed to facilitate the implementation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which crosses Balochistan and has raised strong opposition among local people, mostly due to the infrastructural mammoth project being brutally implemented by the Pakistani government without taking local concerns into consideration. The issue of abductions and enforced disappearances in Pakistan-occupied territories constitutes a major human rights violation in the region.
The following article was published by Balochwarna News:
Pakistani forces have carried out attacks in different areas of Balochistan close to CPEC on Thursday [1 December 2016] and abducted at least 22 innocent Baloch.
According to details Pakistani Frontier Corps (FC) and intelligence agencies abducted six people from Panjgur and Turbat Balochistan.
A spokesperson of FC confirmed to Balochistan national media outlets that FC and Intelligence Agencies abducted four people in Kalak area of Panjgur during a raid.
The FC spokesperson claimed that the men allegedly belonged to a ‘banned organisation’.
In another similar offensive FC abducted two people from overseas colony Turbat, Balochistan.
Five people have been abducted from Jhao area of Awarn Balochistan. FC confirmed apprehending the five people and alleged that they were suspected members of a ‘banned outfit’.
Meanwhile, The Pakistani forces abducted another 11 people from Buleda area of Balochistan claiming that they were involved in anti-social behaviours.
The pro-freedom Baloch political parties have long been saying that Pakistani forces have intensified their attacks against innocent Baloch in different areas of Balochistan to continue and strengthen its ‘colonial designs’ in Balochistan.
Gwadar and adjoining regions are being particularly targeted to pave the way for so called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor – CPEC and appease China.
Note: This is part of a recent spate of similarly concerning events in the region, including the abductions of 15 Balochs on Saturday 3 December 2016 and the attack by Pakistani forces of a football game followed by the disappearance of 4 players on Sunday 4 December.
