Following a militant attack on the Gwadar Development Authority Complex, the notion of Baloch missing persons has been severely debunked. This attack, carried out by militants from the BLA Majeed Brigade, was successfully neutralised by security forces, resulting in the deaths of all seven terrorists. The events that followed this occurrence not only exposed the dismal realities of the so-called missing persons in Balochistan, but also put light on the opportunistic manoeuvres of certain sociopolitical activists and media celebrities.
The identities of two terrorists murdered in the Gwadar attack, Karim Jan, son of Fazal Baloch from Turbat, and Imtiaz Ahmed, son of Raza Muhammad, have been revealed to be among the Baloch missing persons. This finding is not unique; a similar pattern surfaced during the Mach attack last month, revealing a reoccurring trend in which previously declared missing individuals were discovered to be actively engaging in terrorist activities.
This series of episodes reveals the truth behind the Baloch missing persons story, which has long been used as a political tool to elicit public sympathy and generate foreign money for separatist organisations in Balochistan. The involvement of missing people in terrorist actions calls into doubt the credibility of the narrative espoused by some sociopolitical activists and journalists who profess to be champions of the Baloch cause.
Very prominent media journalists and lawyers have been accused of profiting off the Baloch cause. These allegations originate from observations that their involvement swells in times of political convenience, whereas their presence and support dwindle with serious emergencies affecting the Baloch people, such as natural disasters. The recent flash floods in Balochistan saw a stark absence of these so-called champions of the Baloch cause, with the Pakistan Army stepping in to provide relentless support to the affected populations.
Furthermore, the government and judicial commissions have made tremendous efforts to address the issue of missing persons, conducting unbiased investigations and retrieving a large number of victims. Out of 10,078 documented cases, 7,781 have been settled, with the remainder involving persons who have been kidnapped for ransom, fled their homes, or, as current events indicate, joined terrorist organisations. These findings call into question the idea that the state is entirely responsible for these individuals’ disappearances.
Critics believe that focusing on a small number of unresolved cases in Balochistan while neglecting bigger worldwide issues of missing persons in nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, and India demonstrates a prejudice towards Pakistan. They contend that the issue is manipulated to undermine the state and its institutions, particularly the army, which has been at the forefront of combating terrorism and aiding civilians in times of need.
The facade of militants posing as “missing persons” has long been a source of contention in Balochistan, exacerbated by foreign factors. The clear participation of India’s intelligence agency, RAW, in aiding separatist groups such as the BLA and BLF reveals a nefarious conspiracy to destabilise Pakistan. These groups, claiming to be fighting for Baloch rights, have been influencing young and impressionable Baloch people, especially children, into carrying out acts of violence against the state. These separatist groups operate in a cunningly distinct manner, first portraying themselves to the outside community as victims of governmental tyranny through false tales of woe, so securing foreign funds, particularly from India, to fuel their evil actions.
Following this veneer of misery, some terrorist organisations resort to buying children from impoverished Baloch families or kidnapping them outright. These abducted persons are then forced to disappear, only to be enrolled in training centres monitored by India, where they are prepared for future attacks on the Pakistani state. This dishonest effort not only harms Pakistan’s worldwide image, but it also diverts attention away from the truth that these missing persons are being groomed for terrorism. The Mach jailbreak and the current attack in Gwadar are examples of this dismal reality, in which individuals who were previously reported missing are discovered to be actively engaging in terrorism. Such disclosures show the hypocrisy of activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who have been quick to accuse the state of human rights crimes while conveniently ignoring separatist organisations’ manipulation and exploitation of Baloch locals and their foreign sponsors. The missing persons narrative is thus unravelling, revealing a more complicated web of deception and manipulation aimed at weakening Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity.
The identification of missing people as militants actively engaging in attacks against the state and its citizens necessitates a rethinking of the narrative propagated by certain activists and media figures. It raises serious issues about their motivations and the sincerity of their compassion for the Baloch people. The moment has come for a collective reevaluation of the issue, with a focus on the well-being of the common Baloch and their incorporation into the state’s mainstream development strategy.
The story of Baloch missing persons, long cloaked in mystery and political manipulation, is unravelling. As the true nature of many of these incidents becomes clear, it is vital for the Baloch people and the larger Pakistani population to critically evaluate the material brought to them and seek constructive and inclusive solutions to the difficulties that Balochistan faces. The well-being and future of the Baloch people should not be jeopardised for the sake of political dramas and opportunistic goals that benefit only a few.
