PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who reportedly went missing three months ago. Relatives blocked the vital road link between Gwadar and Karachi, causing essential commodities to run short in Gwadar and Turbat. While the demonstrators were persuaded to end their protest yesterday, the situation once again highlights the deep-seated mistrust between the Baloch populace and the state machinery. It calls for immediate and sincere state engagement with the Baloch people, beyond rhetoric or temporary measures. The judiciary finds its orders for the recovery of missing persons continually flouted. The (now former) caretaker PM’s initial defiance of court summons in cases of missing persons showed a worrisome trend of executive evasion of legal scrutiny. Such actions erode the people’s trust in the institutions meant to protect and serve them. Meanwhile, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, tasked with addressing this grave issue, seems overwhelmed, with a staggering number of unimplemented production orders. With only 7pc of cases leading to the recovery of missing persons, and the commission bogged down by procedural delays and a lack of enforcement mechanisms, its role needs urgent reassessment. It must do more to fulfil its mandate effectively.

It is time for a paradigm shift in how the state perceives and interacts with Balochistan. This situation is not just about defying court orders; it is a festering wound in the relationship of the state and its citizens, especially in Balochistan. The region’s long-standing grievances, stemming from neglect, underdevelopment, and political disenfranchisement, cannot be ignored. Engagement must replace estrangement, and development go hand in hand with dialogue. Court directives to recover missing persons must be respected and enforced, reflecting the state’s commitment to the rule of law and human rights. Only through sincere engagement and a concerted effort to address the underlying issues can we hope to heal the wounds of Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2024