IN the nation’s living memory, Balochistan’s burns have never run dry. The province has grappled with historical wrongs, political differences, ethnic turmoil and armed insurgencies, leaving its resource-rich land poor and far behind the rest of the country. Amid permanently high tensions, atrocities touched another low a fortnight ago when six young footballers, on their way to the All-Pakistan Chief Minister Gold Cup Football Tournament in Sibi, were abducted at gunpoint by unidentified persons. The worrying incident occurred in Kachhi Canal of Sui area in Dera Bugti. According to reports, the kidnapped players hail from Bugti clans and are closely related to separatists who recently surrendered to the security establishment. Initially, the entire 24-member squad was taken hostage, however, 18 were set free soon after. Officials in Dera Bugti say that a dozen suspects have since been arrested. The caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti had claimed that an operation to recover them was underway but it seems that so far the administration and police are clueless about their whereabouts and captors. The veil of silence around the issue has become deafening.

The fact that the state is unable to safeguard a district sports team en route to a tournament puts local and federal dispensations in the dock. The episode is a reminder of the lawlessness that pervades a province where years of neglect, deprivation and violence have ensured there is no love lost between its people and the administration. Besides, allusions to separatist groups in the province have never placated the Baloch, trapped as they are between militants and the establishment. We cannot emphasise enough that despite Mr Bugti’s assertions about security forces being deployed for rescue, the evident lack of action is a sad reflection on the administration’s priorities. These young players should not be allowed to become statistics in a long list of those who have vanished without a trace. The authorities must find them.

Published in Dawn, September 23th, 2023