Balochistan: Young student 'forcibly abducted' in Turbat

Balochistan [Pakistan], April 23 (ANI): In a deeply troubling incident, a young student named Zakaria Asmi was reportedly abducted in broad daylight on Monday afternoon by unidentified armed men in the Satellite Town area of Turbat, Balochistan.

According to The Balochistan Post, the assailants used their vehicle to knock Zakaria off his motorcycle before forcing him into their car at gunpoint and fleeing the scene. The abduction occurred in full public view, yet no immediate action or official response has followed.

Zakaria, a school student who also worked part-time at a local shop, had no known links to political groups or militant activities, according to his family. They have urged the district administration to take swift action to ensure his safe return, as cited by The Balochistan Post.

The lack of response from authorities has sparked concerns over transparency and official negligence.

According to The Balochistan Post, human rights organisations and Baloch advocacy groups have consistently alleged that Pakistani security forces and allied militias are behind many such disappearances in the region--claims that the state typically denies or does not address.

The incident adds to the growing unease in Balochistan, where enforced disappearances continue to fuel tension and mistrust between local communities and the state, The Balochistan Post cited.

According to The Balochistan Post, in a separate incident on Monday, the mother of Mir Taj Muhammad Sarparah -- missing for the past five years -- passed away after a prolonged struggle with illness and grief.

Today, my husband Mir Taj Muhammad Sarparah's mother passed away. She left us after enduring five years of pain & waiting. Each day, she carried the weight of sorrow, crying and praying for the return of her son.

— Salia Marri (@Saliamarri_) April 21, 2025

In a post on X, his wife, Saliha Marri, stated, "Today, my husband Mir Taj Muhammad Sarparah's mother passed away. She left us after enduring five years of pain and waiting. Each day, she carried the weight of sorrow, crying and praying for the return of her son."

According to activists, this is not an isolated incident. Many families, especially elderly parents, have suffered for years, with some dying during protests or collapsing under the strain of emotional and physical exhaustion. (ANI)

(The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune Staff.)